Clove essential oils in feed: what manufacturers must do in 2026

Key data

Feed manufacturers in the EU have a new tool available: three clove derivatives (Syzygium aromaticum) are authorized as feed additives for all animal species. The authorization, published on 29 September 2026, is backed by the EFSA's safety and efficacy assessment and requires those wishing to incorporate these ingredients to comply with specific conditions of use, maximum doses and labeling.

This is not a recommendation: it is a formal authorization with compliance requirements. Companies that were already using these ingredients or planning to incorporate them must review their technical sheets and formulation processes.

What does this regulation establish?

The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2158 specifically authorizes the following three feed additives, all derived from Syzygium aromaticum (L.) Merr. & L.M. Perry:

The authorization establishes specific conditions for each of these additives: maximum doses of use, application conditions and labeling requirements. These conditions are binding for any manufacturer or distributor that incorporates any of these three ingredients in their formulations.

The technical basis for the authorization is the safety and efficacy assessment carried out by the EFSA, which ensures that the use of these additives within the established limits poses no risks to animals, consumers or the environment.

Economic and operational impact

For the feed manufacturing industry, this regulation has a dual effect: it opens an opportunity for innovation in formulations and, at the same time, generates specific compliance obligations.

On the operational side, the main impacts are:

• Review and update of formulations: Companies wishing to incorporate any of the three authorized additives must adjust their recipes to the maximum doses established in the regulation.
• Update of technical documentation: Product technical sheets, raw material specifications and formulation records must reflect the new authorization and its conditions.
• Adaptation of labeling: The regulation sets specific labeling requirements for feeds containing these additives. Current labels must be reviewed before products are placed on the market.
• Coordination with suppliers: Distributors supplying these essential oils to feed manufacturers are also affected and must ensure that their products meet the required specifications.

The regulation is already in force, so any company marketing feed with these additives from 28 September 2026 onwards must do so under the conditions of the regulation.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers for any animal species (cattle, pigs, poultry, aquaculture, pets, etc.) that incorporate or plan to incorporate clove essential oils.
• Feed distributors and marketers that place products with these additives on the market.
• Raw material and additive suppliers that supply clove essential oil, clove leaf essential oil or beta-caryophyllene-rich fraction to the feed industry.
• R&D and formulation departments of companies in the sector that are developing new ranges of functional or natural feeds.
• Quality and regulatory managers of manufacturing companies, who must update technical documentation and control processes.

Practical example

A poultry feed manufacturer that has been researching the use of essential oils as an alternative to conventional growth promoters can now officially incorporate clove leaf essential oil or the beta-caryophyllene-rich fraction in its formulations, supported by the authorization of Regulation (EU) 2026/2158.

To do this correctly, this manufacturer must:

1. Consult the maximum authorized doses for the poultry species in the text of the regulation and adjust the formulation to those limits.
2. Update the feed technical sheet and quality control documentation to reflect the new additive and its concentration.
3. Review the product labeling to include the mention of the additive in accordance with the specific requirements of the regulation.
4. Ensure that its clove essential oil supplier supplies an ingredient that meets the technical specifications required by the regulation.

If the manufacturer markets feed with these additives without complying with the conditions of the regulation, it is exposed to action by the competent feed control authorities in its Member State.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the full text of Regulation (EU) 2026/2158 to identify the maximum doses and conditions of use authorized for each of the three additives and for the animal species relevant to your business.
2. Audit current formulations to determine whether any product already contains these ingredients and, if so, verify that the concentrations are within the authorized limits.
3. Update technical documentation of affected products: technical sheets, raw material specifications, formulation records and quality control documentation.
4. Review and adapt labeling of feeds containing these additives, ensuring that it complies with the specific labeling requirements established in the regulation before commercialization.
5. Communicate changes to the supply chain: inform raw material suppliers and, where appropriate, distributor customers about the new applicable requirements.
6. Consult with the regulatory department or a specialized advisor if there are doubts about the interpretation of the conditions of use or about the application of the regulation to specific species or feed categories.

Official source

Consult full regulation on official source

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/./legal-content/AUTO/?uri=OJ:L_202602158