Perlite authorized in EU feed 2026: what manufacturers and farmers must do

Key data

Feed manufacturers and poultry and pig farmers have had a new technological additive available since 18 September 2026: perlite. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2072, published in the Official Journal of the EU, formalizes its authorization as an anti-caking agent in feed for five categories of animals. It is not a mandatory use, but rather a new tool that, if incorporated, requires compliance with the conditions and maximum doses established by the regulation.

The authorization comes after a prior safety assessment conducted by the EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), which has verified that perlite is safe for animals, consumers and the environment. This is relevant: the scientific endorsement of the EFSA is the prerequisite required by European regulations for any additive in animal feed.

What does this regulation establish?

The regulation formally authorizes perlite as a technological additive in the category of anti-caking agents. Its function is to improve the physical properties of feed, preventing particles from clumping and facilitating its handling, dosing and storage.

The species for which use is authorized are:

• Broiler poultry
• Poultry reared for laying or breeding
• Ornamental poultry
• Piglets
• Fattening pigs

The regulation establishes that sector operators must respect the conditions and maximum doses set out in the regulatory text. Although the regulation does not publicly detail dosage figures in the available summary, these conditions are mandatory for any manufacturer that decides to incorporate perlite into their formulations.

Perlite is a mineral of volcanic origin that is already used in other industrial and food sectors. Its incorporation into the catalog of authorized additives for feed expands the technological options available to European manufacturers, who until now had to resort to other anti-caking agents.

Economic and operational impact

The impact of this regulation is not one of mandatory direct cost: no one is obliged to use perlite. The real impact is operational and opportunity-based:

• For manufacturers wishing to incorporate perlite: they will need to update their technical formulations and adapt the labeling of affected feed to reflect the new additive in accordance with current regulations. This involves reformulation costs, internal validation and documentation updates.
• For manufacturers not incorporating it: no immediate impact, but they must be aware of the regulation to avoid non-compliant use of similar additives.
• Risk of non-compliance: if a manufacturer uses perlite without respecting maximum doses or without correct labeling, it is exposed to sanctions by the competent authorities of each Member State. European regulations on feed additives provide for inspections and official controls.

From the perspective of the value chain, the authorization can translate into a reduction in formulation costs for some manufacturers if perlite proves more economical or efficient than the anti-caking agents they were using. The cost-benefit assessment will depend on each operator and their current suppliers.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers that produce feed for poultry (broilers, laying, breeding, ornamental) or pigs (piglets and fattening pigs) in any EU Member State.
• Poultry farmers with on-farm feed production.
• Pig farmers with on-farm feed production (especially in piglet and fattening phases).
• Animal feed chain operators: distributors, formulators and animal nutrition technical advisors who design or recommend formulations.
• Quality and regulatory managers in sector companies, who must keep the catalog of authorized additives and compliance files up to date.

Practical example

A feed manufacturer for broilers (fattening chickens) that currently uses an alternative anti-caking agent in its production line may consider replacing it with perlite after the regulation enters into force.

To do so in a compliant manner, it must:

1. Consult the full text of Regulation 2026/2072 to verify the maximum authorized dose for broiler poultry.
2. Reformulate the affected feed by incorporating perlite within the established limits.
3. Update the product technical sheet and labeling to include perlite as a declared technological additive.
4. Document the change in its quality management system and notify it if required by the competent authority of its Member State.

If the manufacturer fails to update the labeling or exceeds the authorized maximum doses, the competent authority (in Spain, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food) may initiate a sanctioning procedure.

What should companies do now?

1. Review the full text of Regulation 2026/2072 to learn about the authorized maximum doses and specific conditions by animal species. This is the prerequisite for any formulation decision.
2. Assess whether perlite fits into current formulations: compare with anti-caking agents in use in terms of cost, efficacy and compatibility with other ingredients.
3. Update formulations and technical sheets if it is decided to incorporate perlite, ensuring that doses respect the regulation's limits.
4. Adapt the labeling of affected feed to correctly declare perlite as a technological additive, in accordance with compound feed labeling regulations.
5. Inform the quality and regulatory team about the new authorization, so that it is recorded in the internal catalog of permitted additives and in compliance files.
6. Verify notification requirements with the competent authority of the Member State, as some countries may require prior notification or registration of the formulation change.

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_202602072