Denmark: Update of the National Positive List of Substances Permitted in Foods and Food Supplements

    Early in December, Danish authorities published an updated list of substances, other than vitamins and minerals, that are permitted in Foods, including Food Supplements.

    This update, detailed in BEK 1522, replaces the previous BEK 616 published in June 2025.

    For Food Supplements:

        • MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane): Now authorised with a maximum daily dose of 200 mg.
        • Catechin and epicatechin from grape seed extract: Maximum permitted daily doses have been increased to 140 mg/day.
        • Lecithin: The maximum permitted daily dose is now 10,500 mg/day.
        • Creatine: The maximum permitted daily dose has been increased to 4 g/day.

    For Fortified Foods:

        • Creatine monohydrate: Permitted in specific food categories, including milk-based drinks and chocolate, bars and similar products for adults.
        • L-isoleucine, L-leucine and L-valine: Higher maximum levels and updated conditions of use were established across several beverage and food categories.
        • Caffeine: Higher maximum levels are now permitted in electrolyte drinks and certain flavored alcoholic beverages.

    Maximum levels for vitamins and minerals in fortified foods were revised.

    The new list has been in force since its publication on December 3, 2025.

EU: Update on Maximum Permitted Levels (MPLs)

    On December 12, a public discussion on EU-harmonised MPLs for vitamins and minerals took place at the AGRIFISH Council. There was strong political support among Member States to advance this dossier.

    The subject was brought to discussion by a request from Germany, which was backed by a wide range of Member States. Delegations from Germany, Romania, Greece, Malta, Latvia, Poland, Luxembourg, Austria, Finland, Bulgaria, the Netherlands and France emphasised that the lack of EU-wide MPLs leads to legal uncertainty and creates barriers to the functioning of the European Single Market.

    The key points raised during the discussion were:
        • The European Commission’s (EC) legal obligation to establish maximum permitted levels.
        • The need for the EC to provide a clearer timeline, methodology and next steps.
        • The importance of ensuring that any future proposal to be based on scientific evidence, proportionate and supported by stakeholder consultation.
        • Concerns about potential economic impacts, including the impact on SMEs and the risk of undermining EU competitiveness.

    In response, Olivér Várhelyi, the European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, confirmed the EC’s intention to resume the technical preparatory work and announced that a call for evidence would be launched to gather input from stakeholders.

    No specific deadlines were provided.