The use of carotenoids in poultry feed for the pigmentation of broiler chicks and eggs is regularly evaluated by the European Commission. Until now, the legal maximum was 80 mg carotenoids and xanthophylls per kg of poultry feed, but recently the Commission decided to significantly lower this maximum level in the near future. This will have consequences for, among other things, the pigmentation of egg and pasta products.
[written by: A. Vandeweghe]
Both tagetes extracts and beta-apo-carotene ethyl ester (e.g. Carophyll Yellow) have recently been the subject of a re-evaluation under EU Regulation 1831/2003. This has resulted in two new Regulations:
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Tagetes extracts: Regulation 2020/1097 of 24 July 2020
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Beta-apo-carotene ethyl ester: Regulation 2020/1400 of 5 October 2020
Beta-apo-carotene ethyl ester (e.g. Carophyll Yellow) has recently been evaluated as an additive in the category of sensory additives and the group of colourants. Regulation 2020/1400 of 5 October 2020 lays down the following:
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New EU registration number: 2a160f (mandatory labeling)
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New legal maximum:
- Broiler chick feed: 15 mg/kg broiler chick feed (previously 80 mg/kg)
- Laying hen feed: 5 mg/kg laying hen feed (previously 80 mg/kg)
The following transitional periods have been set for the implementation of this Regulation:
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The production of premixes with Carophyll Yellow with contents higher than 5 resp. 15 mg apo-ester/kg laying hen feed resp. broiler feed is available until 26 April 2021 at the latest. Afterwards, the production of these premixes with higher contents in final feed will no longer be possible.
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Such premixes with a higher content of apo-ester can be mixed into broiler chick and laying hen feed until 26 October 2021 at the latest.
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From 26 April 2022, feeds with a higher content of apo-ester are no longer allowed to be put into circulation.
Tagetes extracts can also be used to colour the eggs, but these products have also recently been subject to re-registration. Regulation 2020/1097 of 24 July 2020 allows the use of the following tagetes products in Europe:
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lutein-rich tagetes with EU registration number 2a161b with a legal maximum of 80 mg/kg
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lutein/zeaxanthin rich tagetes products with EU registration number 2a161bi with a legal maximum of 50 mg/kg.
For the combination of apo-ester and tagetes extracts, a legal maximum of 80 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively applies when using lutein-rich tagetes resp. lutein/zeaxanthin rich tagetes products.
The new legal limits have no consequences for the colouring of table eggs or broiler chicks.
However, the colouring of eggs for the production of pasta, pastry, mayonnaise, ... is made drastically more difficult as a result of the new legislation. It even becomes challenging to continue to produce intensely coloured egg products.
