Key data
| Regulation | Commission Recommendation (EU) 2026/1801, of 24 July 2026 |
|---|---|
| Official reference | OJ:L_202601801 |
| Publication | 28 July 2026 |
| Entry into force | 24 July 2026 |
| Affected parties | Feed manufacturers, livestock farmers, importers of agricultural raw materials and food control authorities |
| Category | Agriculture and Fisheries |
| Legal nature | Recommendation (non-binding, but reference for inspections) |
If you manufacture feed or operate a livestock farm, this European recommendation affects you directly. Recommendation (EU) 2026/1801, published on 28 July 2026, establishes indicative thresholds for five groups of mycotoxins in animal feed. It is not a regulation with automatic penalties, but food control authorities will use it as a benchmark in their inspections. Ignoring it is not an option.
What does this regulation establish?
The European Commission has issued a recommendation on the levels of acceptable presence of five groups of mycotoxins in feed intended for animal nutrition. Mycotoxins are natural contaminants produced by fungi that can appear in cereals and other agricultural raw materials used in feed manufacturing.
The five groups of mycotoxins regulated by this recommendation are:
| Mycotoxin | Usual origin | Main risk |
|---|---|---|
| Deoxynivalenol (DON) | Cereals contaminated by Fusarium fungi | Digestive toxicity in monogastric animals |
| Zearalenone (ZEA) | Maize and wheat with Fusarium | Reproductive disorders, especially in sows |
| Ochratoxin A (OTA) | Stored cereals with Aspergillus/Penicillium | Renal and hepatotoxic damage in poultry and pigs |
| T-2 and HT-2 toxins | Oats and other cereals with Fusarium | Immunosuppression and mucosal lesions |
| Fumonisins | Maize with Fusarium moniliforme | Leukoencephalomalacia in equines, pulmonary edema in pigs |
Although the recommendation is not legally binding, it acts as an official reference for control authorities. This means that, in practice, operators who systematically exceed these thresholds are exposed to enhanced inspections, improvement requirements and, in serious cases, precautionary measures on their products.
Economic and operational impact
The most direct impact is on quality control and raw material analysis costs. Companies that do not have a mycotoxin monitoring program must implement one. Those that already have one must verify that their internal thresholds are consistent with the European indicative levels now published.
The main operational cost vectors are:
- Raw material analysis: increased frequency of sampling and analysis of incoming cereals, especially maize, wheat and oats.
- Supplier review: need to require mycotoxin analysis certificates from suppliers of agricultural raw materials.
- Non-conforming batch management: protocols for rejection, segregation or treatment of batches exceeding indicative thresholds.
- Documentation for inspections: systematic recording of analysis results to demonstrate diligence to control authorities.
The impact also extends to the value chain: livestock farmers who buy feed from manufacturers must ensure that their suppliers comply with these standards, as mycotoxin contamination directly affects livestock productivity and, by extension, human food safety.
Who does it affect?
- Feed manufacturers: required to review and update their quality control and raw material analysis protocols to comply with indicative thresholds.
- Livestock farmers: both those who manufacture their own feed and those who buy it from third parties must verify compliance with these levels.
- Importers of agricultural raw materials: cereals, maize and other ingredients imported must comply with the same standards; the recommendation applies regardless of geographical origin.
- Food control authorities: will use this recommendation as a reference in their inspections and audits of the sector.
- Advisors and consultants in the agri-food sector: must incorporate these thresholds in their recommendations to clients in the livestock and feed manufacturing sector.
Practical example
A pig feed manufacturing company that uses maize as its main raw material must pay special attention to three of the five regulated mycotoxins: zearalenone (with direct reproductive effects on sows), fumonisins (with risk of pulmonary edema in pigs) and deoxynivalenol (with digestive toxicity in monogastrics).
If this company receives a batch of maize from a supplier without a mycotoxin analysis certificate, Recommendation 2026/1801 gives it arguments—and practical obligation—to require such analysis before incorporating the batch into production. If in a subsequent inspection the control authority detects that the company does not have records of mycotoxin monitoring, it can initiate a procedure for precautionary measures on batches produced with that raw material.
Documented due diligence—systematic analysis, supplier records, batch rejection protocols—is the main protection against regulatory consequences.
What should companies do now?
- Review raw material analysis protocols: verify that the internal monitoring program covers the five groups of regulated mycotoxins (DON, ZEA, OTA, T-2/HT-2 and fumonisins) and that the sampling frequency is adequate.
- Update supplier contracts: require mycotoxin analysis certificates as a supply requirement, especially for cereals and maize.
- Compare internal thresholds with European indicative levels: if internal limits are more permissive than those in the recommendation, adjust them downward.
- Document all analyses and decisions: maintain an updated record of analysis results, rejected batches and corrective measures adopted. This documentation is the first line of defense in an inspection.
- Train the quality team: ensure that personnel responsible for quality control know the five groups of regulated mycotoxins and the procedures for action when thresholds are exceeded.
- Review the import supply chain: importers of agricultural raw materials must apply the same controls regardless of the country of origin of the product.
Frequently asked questions
Is it mandatory to comply with this recommendation or is it just indicative?
Recommendation (EU) 2026/1801 is not legally binding, which means it does not establish automatic penalties for non-compliance. However, food control authorities will use it as a reference in their inspections. Repeated non-compliance with indicative thresholds may result in enhanced inspections or precautionary measures on affected products.
What five mycotoxins does this European recommendation regulate?
The recommendation covers five groups: deoxynivalenol (DON), zearalenone (ZEA), ochratoxin A (OTA), T-2 and HT-2 toxins, and fumonisins. All of them are natural contaminants produced by fungi that can appear in cereals and agricultural raw materials used in feed manufacturing.
What happens if an inspection detects mycotoxins above indicative levels?
According to the regulation data, repeated non-compliance may result in enhanced inspections or precautionary measures by the competent authorities. The key is to have documentation that demonstrates diligence: analysis records, batch rejection protocols and supplier certificates.
Does this recommendation also affect livestock farmers who buy feed, or only manufacturers?
It affects the entire chain: feed manufacturers, livestock farmers (both those who manufacture their own feed and those who buy it), importers of agricultural raw materials and food control authorities. Livestock farmers must ensure that their feed suppliers comply with indicative standards.
When does this recommendation apply?
Recommendation (EU) 2026/1801 entered into force on 24 July 2026, although it was published in the EU Official Journal on 28 July 2026. Companies must review their quality control protocols immediately.
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_202601801