Knowledge
Ingredients and their uses, the regulations that really affect your formulation and the technical monographs on our raw materials.
Inulin on the label of an ice cream or yoghurt.
Inulin on a food label: it is an ingredient, not an additive, with no E number; what counts as "fibre" under Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011; the two authorised health claims (2016/854 and 2015/2314); and why "prebiotic" is not among them.
Types of collagen: same name, very different masses.
Whole collagen (about 300 kDa) versus hydrolyzed collagen (3 to 6 kDa): a mass 50 to 100 times smaller under the same name. A family of 28 members; type, origin and form describe the raw material in food, supplements and cosmetics.
Weight control on the label: which claims the EU authorises.
Regulations (EC) 1924/2006 and (EU) 432/2012: of the claims listed for glucomannan, chromium and chitosan, only one is about weight. Conditions of use, two Commission refusals and where EFSA's evaluation of berberine stands.
DMAC and NEP: solvents with conditions from 23 Dec 2026.
REACH restriction on DMAC and NEP, two industrial solvents: from 23 December 2026, at 0.3 % or more, they can only be placed on the market with four figures in the safety data sheet. Regulation (EU) 2025/1090, entries 80 and 81 of Annex XVII.
Kelp seaweed.
Brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum ("kelp"): the EU is discussing in a draft a maximum of 1,000 mg/kg of iodine on a dry matter basis, and the BfR reports 150–1,800 mg/kg. One seaweed, four questions: agriculture, feed, cosmetics and food.
Goodbye to BPA in food contact packaging.
Bisphenol A (BPA) in food contact: July 20, 2026 was not the last date. Depending on the type of packaging, the calendar of Regulation (EU) 2024/3190 runs until January 20, 2029, with its own deadlines and a text updated by 2026/250.
Tryptophan: four sectors, a different question.
L-tryptophan in food supplements, cosmetics, agriculture and animal nutrition: each sector reads it under its own rules. In supplements, Royal Decree 1487/2009 sets a maximum daily amount of 300 mg; grade and intended use drive the purchase.
The CLP revision and its new labels.
Regulation (EU) 2024/2865, CLP revision: since July 1, 2026 the supplier established in the EU must be identified on the label. Regulation 2025/2439 postpones only five blocks to January 1, 2028; the other dates stand and the calendar may still change.
Creatine: same name, different status.
Creatine and novel food status in the European Commission's consultation list: monohydrate, micronised included, is not a novel food; malate and alpha-ketoglutarate are. In feed, the authorised additive is GAA, which converts into creatine.
Hydroquinone, triclosan and glutaral in cosmetics.
Regulation (EC) 1223/2009 on cosmetics: hydroquinone is in Annex II (not permitted), triclosan remains in Annex V at 0.3% for only six product types (Regulation 2024/996) and glutaral is allowed up to 0.1% without aerosols.
Astaxanthin: three legal frameworks.
Astaxanthin, a carotenoid from the microalga Haematococcus pluvialis found in food supplements, cosmetics and animal feed: the same name on the label, three different legal frameworks, and what to check before choosing origin and form.
Cosmetics: twelve ingredients with new limits.
Regulation (EU) 2026/909, in force since May 18, 2026: triphenyl phosphate banned and new limits for benzyl salicylate, citral, zinc, aluminum, DHHB and hair dyes. Dates: January 1, 2027 and July 1, 2028 for perfumery, sun care and dyes.
Lactoferrin.
Bovine lactoferrin: a novel food authorised in the EU since 2012, its role in cosmetics (INCI Lactoferrin) and its study in animal nutrition. What to check before buying: grade and iron saturation.
Food additives: new specifications for gums and starches.
Regulation (EU) 2026/196, applicable from 18 August 2026: new specifications for carrageenans, gums (locust bean, guar, acacia, xanthan), pectins and starch E1450, and its transitional regime.
Astragalus.
Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) in nutraceuticals, cosmetics and animal nutrition, and the key technical point before buying: astragaloside IV as the marker that sets a standardised extract apart.
The “replacement PFAS” has a deadline too: PFHxA.
Regulation (EU) 2024/2462 (REACH entry 79): restriction of PFHxA, its salts and related substances, phased in from 2026 with limits of 25 and 1000 ppb. What to review in cosmetics, textiles and food-contact paper.
Ectoine.
Ectoine: a compatible solute of microbial origin, a barrier and moisturising ingredient in cosmetics and a protein stabiliser in spray drying in the biotechnology industry.
Magnesium pidolate / PCA.
Magnesium L-pidolate (PCA): a highly soluble salt, an authorised source in Directive 2002/46/EC for drinkable formats, with an anion that is also a cosmetic humectant. Plus a warning about its two CAS numbers.
The microplastics restriction under REACH.
Regulation (EU) 2023/2055: REACH restriction on intentionally added microplastics, with a phased timetable from 2023 to 2035 that reaches shower gels, shampoos, leave-on cosmetics and make-up.
Succinic acid.
From “spirit of amber” to the Krebs cycle: succinic acid, its origin in fossil resin, its role in the umami taste of seafood and why one raw material links cosmetics, food and industry.
New authorized sources in food supplements.
New sources on the positive list for food supplements (magnesium L-threonate, folate, calcidiol) and what to check before formulating: specification, dose, target population and novel food status.
Cosmetics: when the INCI is not enough (CMR substances).
Regulation (EU) 2026/78, applicable from 1 May 2026: CMR substances and cosmetics. Why the INCI name is not enough and what to verify: identity, harmonised classification, annexes and application dates.
PPWR: packaging is now part of the regulatory conversation.
Regulation (EU) 2025/40 (PPWR), applicable from 12 August 2026: what it requires of those packaging food, supplements, cosmetics and industrial products, and how to build a timetable by packaging type.
Chitosan: one CAS number, many products.
A single CAS number groups chitosan that differs in degree of deacetylation and molecular mass: why two products with the same name can behave differently.
Urolithin A.
Novel food authorized in the EU (Regulation 2022/24, Mitopure): mitochondrial health and sports nutrition.
Alpha arbutin.
Technical monograph · Dermocosmetic actives. Applications: cosmetics, food.
Ascorbic acid.
Technical monograph · Vitamins. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Ashwagandha.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Astaxanthin.
Technical monograph · Algae. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Astragalus.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Bakuchiol.
Technical monograph · Dermocosmetic actives. Applications: cosmetics.
Biotin.
Technical monograph · Vitamins. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Birch.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Broccoli.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Cannabidiol (CBD).
Technical monograph · Oils. Applications: cosmetics.
Chitosan.
Technical monograph · Excipients. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, industry.
Chitosan in agriculture.
Educational sheet on chitosan in agriculture: a natural biodegradable polymer for foliar spraying and seed coating; biostimulant, elicitor and post-harvest protection of fruit and vegetables.
Chlorella vulgaris.
Technical monograph · Algae. Applications: food, nutraceuticals.
Coenzyme Q10.
Technical monograph · Antioxidants. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Cordyceps.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Cosmetic clays.
Technical monograph · Excipients. Applications: cosmetics, agriculture, animal nutrition.
Essential oils: antifungals.
Educational material on essential oils with antifungal activity (tea tree, thyme, cinnamon, clove): the most common skin mycoses (athlete's foot, onychomycosis, candidiasis, pityriasis versicolor) and the fungicidal properties of the oils.
Ferulic acid.
Technical monograph · Acids and pH regulators. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Ginkgo biloba.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food.
Glutamic acid.
Technical monograph · Amino acids. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Horse chestnut.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Hyaluronic acid.
Technical monograph · Polysaccharides and glycosaminoglycans. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Hydrolyzed marine collagen peptides.
Technical monograph · Proteins and peptides. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Inulin.
Technical monograph · Excipients. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Kalanchoe.
Educational material on Kalanchoe, an African plant of traditional use containing flavonoids and bufadienolides. Covers external and internal forms of use, the maximum daily dose indicated and references.
Kalmegh (Andrographis).
Educational material on Kalmegh (Andrographis paniculata), a South Asian plant with andrographolide, terpenoids and flavonoids; nutraceutical use, cosmetic research and directions for capsules and infusions.
Kelp seaweed.
Technical monograph · Algae. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals, agriculture, animal nutrition.
Lactobacillus.
Technical monograph · Probiotics and ferments. Applications: food, nutraceuticals.
Lactoferrin.
Technical monograph · Proteins and peptides. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Mango butter.
Technical monograph · Oils. Applications: cosmetics, food.
Melatonin.
Technical monograph · Antioxidants. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Micronized creatine monohydrate 200 mesh.
Technical monograph · Amino acids. Applications: nutraceuticals.
Niacinamide (vitamin B3).
Technical monograph · Vitamins. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Nicotinamide.
Technical monograph · Vitamins. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition.
Papain.
Technical monograph · Excipients. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Pyruvic acid.
Technical monograph · Dermocosmetic actives. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Reduced glutathione.
Technical monograph · Proteins and peptides. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Rosehip.
Technical monograph · Oils. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals.
Snail mucin.
Technical monograph · Dermocosmetic actives. Applications: cosmetics.
Spirulina.
Technical monograph · Algae. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals.
Succinic acid.
Succinic acid (butanedioic, CAS 110-15-6, E363, INCI Succinic Acid): sheet by sector (cosmetics, food, pharma and industry) and differences in grade, purity and petrochemical or bio-fermented origin.
Sweet almond oil.
Technical monograph · Oils. Applications: cosmetics.
Tryptophan.
Technical monograph · Amino acids. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, industry.
Turmeric.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, food, nutraceuticals, industry.
Vegetable oils as sun protectants.
Educational material on the sun protection factor (SPF) of vegetable oils (olive, coconut, almond, mustard, sesame), their antioxidant power and how to use them together with other sun filters.
Witch hazel water.
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals, food.
Xanthohumol (hops).
Technical monograph · Plant extracts. Applications: cosmetics, nutraceuticals, animal nutrition, food.
Do you need technical advice on a specific raw material? Let's talk.