New probiotic additive in EU feed 2026: what manufacturers and livestock farmers must do

Key data

Feed manufacturers and animal nutrition companies in the EU have had a new tool available since 7 May 2026: the probiotic preparation formed by Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 is formally authorized as a zootechnical additive for feed intended for all animal species. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1018, adopted on 7 May 2026 and published the following day in the EU Official Journal, is the regulation that formalizes this authorization.

The authorization is neither automatic nor unconditional: operators wishing to use this preparation must respect the conditions of use established in the regulation and update the labeling of affected feed. Failure to do so correctly constitutes a breach of European feed additives regulations.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1018 formally authorizes the use of a specific probiotic preparation as a zootechnical additive in feed. The key technical data are as follows:

A zootechnical additive is one that positively influences the performance of healthy animals or the environment. In this case, the preparation combines a yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and a lactic acid bacterium (Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus), two microorganisms widely used in animal and human nutrition, under specific strains identified by their NBRC codes.

The authorization covers all animal species, which considerably expands the potential market compared to more restrictive authorizations limited to a single species or production category.

Economic and operational impact

For feed manufacturers, this authorization opens a new formulation line without the need to obtain their own authorization: the preparation is already approved at European level and can be incorporated into existing formulations by complying with the regulation's conditions.

The main operational impacts are:

• New possible formulations: Manufacturers can develop or update feed lines with this probiotic for any species, from poultry and pigs to ruminants and aquaculture.
• Labeling adaptation: Any feed containing this additive must indicate it on the label in accordance with European feed regulations. This involves reviewing technical sheets, labels and product documentation.
• Conditions of use: The regulation establishes specific conditions of use that must be respected. Non-compliance constitutes a breach of European feed additives regulations.
• Commercial opportunity: Authorization for all species expands the potential market for the preparation to the entire EU livestock population, which can result in broader supply contracts for the preparation manufacturers.

For livestock farmers, the impact is indirect but relevant: they will be able to access feed with this authorized probiotic, with potential improvements in digestibility and productive performance of their animals.

Who does it affect?

• Compound feed manufacturers: Must evaluate whether to incorporate the preparation in their formulations and, if they do, adapt labeling and technical documentation.
• Animal nutrition companies: Distributors and formulators working with zootechnical additives must update their catalogs and product sheets.
• Livestock farmers and livestock operations: End users of feed containing this additive. Must verify that purchased feed complies with correct labeling.
• Manufacturers of the probiotic preparation: Companies that produce or market the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 in the EU.
• Quality and regulatory managers in sector companies: Must verify compliance with the conditions of use and labeling established in Regulation 2026/1018.

Practical example

A pig feed manufacturing company that wants to add the preparation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 to its fattening feed line does not need to request a new authorization from European authorities: Regulation 2026/1018 already grants it generally for all species.

What this company must do is:

1. Verify that the preparation it acquires from its supplier corresponds exactly to the authorized strains: NBRC 0203 for the yeast and NBRC 3425 for the lactic acid bacterium.
2. Review the conditions of use established in the regulation and apply them in its manufacturing process.
3. Update the labels of feed containing this additive to reflect its presence in accordance with European feed labeling regulations.
4. Update the corresponding technical documentation and product sheets.

The same process applies if the company manufactures feed for poultry, ruminants, companion animals or aquaculture, given that the authorization covers all animal species.

What should companies do now?

1. Evaluate whether the preparation fits the product strategy: Feed manufacturers should analyze whether incorporating the authorized probiotic provides differential value in their lines for the species they work with.
2. Verify supplier strains: Before using the preparation, confirm that it corresponds exactly to Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425, the only strains authorized by this regulation.
3. Review and update labeling: Any feed incorporating this additive must indicate it on its label in accordance with European regulations. Review current labels and update before marketing the product.
4. Comply with the regulation's conditions of use: Consult the full text of Regulation 2026/1018 to verify specific conditions of use and apply them in the manufacturing process.
5. Update technical and regulatory documentation: Technical sheets, product specifications