L-threonine with E. coli authorized in EU feed: what changes for manufacturers

Key data

Feed manufacturers and livestock operators in the EU have had a new additive available for their formulations since 27 May 2026: L-threonine produced by fermentation with Escherichia coli CCTCC M 2024477. Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1017, published on 8 May 2026 in the Official Journal of the EU, formalizes this authorization and establishes the mandatory conditions of use.

The regulation is directly applicable in all Member States without the need for national transposition. This means that any feed manufacturer in Spain can operate with this additive from the date of entry into force, provided they comply with the conditions in the annex of the regulation.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1017 authorizes L-threonine as an additive in the amino acid category in feed intended for all animal species. The strain used in the production process is Escherichia coli CCTCC M 2024477, obtained by fermentation.

The key regulatory elements established by the regulation are:

• Authorization of use: Feed manufacturers can incorporate this ingredient in their formulations from 27 May 2026.
• Labeling requirements: Mandatory according to the conditions set out in the annex of the regulation.
• Maximum doses: Established in the annex of Regulation 2026/1017 and mandatory to comply with.
• Conditions of use: Detailed in the annex, applicable to all animal species.
• Applicability: Direct in all EU Member States, without national transposition.

L-threonine is an essential amino acid that the animal organism cannot synthesize by itself and must be incorporated through the diet. Its inclusion in feed improves protein utilization, which has direct consequences for both production costs and the environmental impact of livestock farming.

Economic and operational impact

The authorization of this additive opens a concrete optimization pathway for sector operators. The most relevant economic and operational effects are:

• Reduction in formulation costs: By improving protein utilization, manufacturers can reduce the amount of crude protein needed in the ration, resulting in lower raw material costs.
• Reduction in nitrogen emissions: Better protein utilization means less nitrogen excreted by the animal, reducing environmental regulatory pressure on livestock farms.
• New operational obligations: Operators who decide to use this additive will need to adapt their labeling processes, dose control and technical documentation to the conditions of the annex of Regulation 2026/1017.
• No transposition cost: As it is an implementing regulation directly applicable, there are no additional costs or deadlines arising from national legislative adaptation.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers that formulate products for any animal species in the EU.
• Livestock farmers who produce their own feed on farm and want to incorporate this additive.
• Operators in the animal feed sector that market, import or distribute feed with amino acid additives in the EU.
• Quality and formulation managers in sector companies who must update technical sheets, labeling and regulatory documentation.
• Technical advisors and animal nutritionists who design rations for livestock farms.

Practical example

A pig feed manufacturer that currently uses L-threonine from other authorized sources can, from 27 May 2026, incorporate into its raw material catalog L-threonine produced with E. coli CCTCC M 2024477 as an alternative or complement.

To do so in compliance with Regulation 2026/1017, it must:

1. Verify that the additive supplier accredits the use of the strain CCTCC M 2024477 in its production process.
2. Review the annex of the regulation to apply the maximum doses corresponding to the pig species.
3. Update the labeling of feed incorporating this additive with the data required in the annex.
4. Document the use of the additive in the company's traceability system.

The expected result is a formulation with better protein efficiency, lower cost of nitrogenous raw materials and lower nitrogen excretion in the receiving farm, with all associated economic and environmental benefits.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the annex of Regulation 2026/1017: Consult the maximum doses, conditions of use and labeling requirements applicable to the species you work with. It is the mandatory reference document for operating with this additive.
2. Evaluate the incorporation of the additive in your formulations: Analyze whether L-threonine produced with E. coli CCTCC M 2024477 can improve the protein efficiency of your feed and reduce formulation costs.
3. Verify the supply chain: Ensure that additive suppliers can accredit the use of the authorized strain (CCTCC M 2024477) and comply with the conditions of the regulation.
4. Update labeling: If you incorporate the additive, adapt the labeling of affected feed to the requirements of the annex before marketing them.
5. Update internal technical documentation: Product sheets, formulation records and traceability systems must reflect the use of the new additive from 27 May 2026.

Official source

Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1017 of 7 May 2026 on the authorization of L-threonine produced with Escherichia coli CCTCC M 2024477 as a feed additive for all animal species, published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 8 May 2026.