Interban authorized in poultry feed: what manufacturers and farms must do in 2026

Key data

Compound feed manufacturers and poultry farms in the EU have had a new legal tool since 18 September 2026 to combat coccidiosis: the Interban preparation, a combination of narasin and diclazuril, is formally authorized as a coccidiostat additive in the feed of broilers and pullets reared for laying. The authorization is held by Elanco GmbH as the responsible holder, according to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2061, published in the Official Journal of the EU.

The regulation is directly applicable in all Member States without the need for national transposition, which means that the obligations are enforceable from the moment of its entry into force, without any margin for legislative delay at the national level.

What does this regulation establish?

The regulation grants formal authorization of the combined preparation of narasin and diclazuril, marketed under the brand name Interban, for use as a coccidiostat type additive in animal feed. Coccidiostats are substances that prevent or control coccidiosis, a parasitic disease very common in intensive poultry farming that can cause significant economic losses in farms.

The authorization implies that operators wishing to incorporate Interban in their feeds must do so strictly within the conditions established in the regulation: usage limits, labeling conditions and traceability requirements specific to veterinary additives authorized in the EU.

Economic and operational impact

The authorization of Interban has a dual effect on the sector:

• Commercial opportunity: Compound feed manufacturers can legally incorporate Interban in their formulations for broilers and pullets, expanding their catalog of solutions against coccidiosis.
• Compliance obligation: Those who were already using narasin or diclazuril separately, or those who incorporate Interban, must verify that their formulations and labeling comply exactly with the conditions of the regulation. Non-compliance with usage limits and conditions can result in sanctions and product withdrawal from the market.

From an operational perspective, the quality and regulatory departments of feed factories must update their product technical sheets, review labeling documents and ensure that the additive suppliers (Elanco GmbH as the holder) supply the preparation within the authorized specifications.

For poultry farms, the impact is indirect but relevant: they must verify that the feeds they purchase comply with current regulations, as the responsibility for use also falls on the end operator.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers that produce or want to produce feed for broilers or pullets reared for laying with Interban as an additive.
• Poultry farms (broiler farms and pullet farms for laying) that use feeds with coccidiostats in their health programs.
• Veterinary additive distributors in the EU that market or distribute Interban or equivalent preparations of narasin and diclazuril.
• Quality, regulatory and procurement departments of companies in the animal feed sector, which must update technical documentation and supply contracts.
• Veterinarians and technical advisors to poultry farms that design coccidiosis control programs.

Practical example

A compound feed factory in the poultry sector that currently formulates feed for broilers with another authorized coccidiostat decides to evaluate the incorporation of Interban (narasin + diclazuril) in its product range.

To do so legally, the regulatory department must:

1. Verify that the supplier is Elanco GmbH (authorization holder) or a distributor authorized by it.
2. Adjust the feed formulation to the usage limits and conditions established in Regulation (EU) 2026/2061.
3. Update the labeling of the compound feed to reflect the presence of the coccidiostat additive in accordance with the regulations on additives in animal feed.
4. Document the change in the quality management system and notify it to customers (farms) that receive that feed.

If the factory markets the feed with Interban without complying with the regulation's conditions (for example, with incorrect labeling or outside the authorized limits), it exposes itself to sanctions and product withdrawal from the market, with the economic and reputational cost that this entails.

What should companies do now?

1. Review current feed formulations for broilers and pullets: check if narasin, diclazuril or Interban is already being used, and if the use complies with the conditions of the new regulation.
2. Update the labeling of compound feeds that incorporate Interban, ensuring that it complies with the requirements established in Regulation (EU) 2026/2061.
3. Verify the supply chain: confirm that the additive comes from Elanco GmbH (authorization holder) or an authorized distributor.
4. Inform customers (poultry farms) of any changes in feed composition resulting from the incorporation or modification of Interban use.
5. Update internal technical and regulatory documentation (product sheets, quality records, purchase specifications) to reflect the new authorization.
6. Consult with the legal or regulatory area if there are doubts about usage limits or labeling conditions, as non-compliance can result in sanctions and product withdrawal from the market.

Official source

Consult the complete regulation on the 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_202602061