Taurine in pet food: the EU renews its authorization for pet food and aquaculture manufacturers

Key data

If you manufacture or distribute feed for dogs, cats, ferrets or carnivorous fish, this regulation affects you directly. The Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1859, published on 30 July 2026, renews the authorization of taurine as a nutritional additive in feed for these species and repeals the previous Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/722, which has been in force for more than a decade.

The renewal is not an automatic procedure: it involves new authorization conditions that manufacturers must incorporate into both their formulations and product labeling. Ignoring this change is equivalent to operating outside the current legal framework in the EU.

What does this regulation establish?

Regulation 2026/1859 updates the regulatory framework applicable to taurine as an additive in feed for carnivorous animals. The essential points are:

• Authorization renewal: Taurine remains a permitted nutritional additive, but under the new conditions established in this regulation, not those of the 2015 text.
• Scientific basis: The renewal is based on the positive assessment by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) on the safety and efficacy of taurine in these species.
• Express repeal: Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2015/722 is repealed. Any reference to that text in technical documentation, product sheets or labels is no longer valid.
• Species covered: The authorization applies to canines, felines, mustelids, carnivorous fish and other carnivorous aquatic species.

Economic and operational impact

For feed manufacturers, this regulatory change has concrete operational consequences in three areas:

• Product reformulation: If the new authorization conditions modify doses, forms of presentation or permitted combinations, current formulations may need adjustment before they can continue to be marketed legally.
• Labeling review: Any reference to Regulation 2015/722 on labels, technical sheets or product documentation must be updated to cite Regulation 2026/1859. This involves costs for redesign, reprinting and possible management of obsolete packaging stock.
• Risk of sanctions: Non-compliance with the new authorization conditions may result in administrative sanctions whose amount depends on the legislation of each Member State. The regulation does not set specific amounts at European level.

The pet food sector and carnivorous aquaculture are directly exposed. Any company using taurine as an additive in its formulations must now begin reviewing its technical and commercial documentation.

Who does it affect?

• Manufacturers of dog feed (canines)
• Manufacturers of cat feed (felines)
• Manufacturers of feed for ferrets and other mustelids
• Manufacturers of feed for carnivorous fish and other carnivorous aquatic species
• Distributors and marketers of feed that include taurine as a declared additive
• Aquaculture companies that formulate or commission specific feed for their facilities
• Quality and regulatory managers in animal feed companies

Practical example

Imagine a Spanish company manufacturing wet cat food that currently includes taurine in its formulation and references Regulation 2015/722 on its composition label and product technical sheet.

With the entry into force of Regulation 2026/1859 and the express repeal of 2015/722, that company must:

1. Review whether the new authorization conditions alter the dose or form of use of taurine in its current formulation.
2. Update all labels to reference the new regulation instead of the repealed one.
3. Update technical sheets and regulatory documentation that accompanies the product in distribution channels and exports within the EU.
4. Manage the stock of packaging with the old reference before competent authorities begin inspections.

Failing to do so in time exposes the company to inspections and possible administrative sanctions by the competent authority for animal feed in its Member State.

What should companies do now?

1. Identify all affected products: Review the complete catalog to locate which references include taurine as a declared nutritional additive.
2. Compare authorization conditions: Compare the conditions of Regulation 2026/1859 with those of the repealed 2015/722 to detect changes in doses, forms of presentation or use restrictions.
3. Update formulations if necessary: If the new conditions differ from the previous ones, adjust the formulations before continuing production or marketing.
4. Review and update labels and technical sheets: Replace any reference to Regulation 2015/722 with the new 2026/1859 in all product documentation.
5. Communicate the change to the distribution chain: Inform distributors and industrial customers about the regulatory update to prevent them from continuing to market products with outdated documentation.
6. Consult an expert in animal feed regulatory affairs: Since sanctions for non-compliance are applied at national level, it is advisable to verify the specific requirements of each Member State where you operate.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at 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_202601859