ANSES Prioritises Re-evaluation of Processing Aids in Food Supplements, Signalling Future Scrutiny
France's food safety agency, ANSES, is initiating a systematic re-evaluation of technological auxiliaries (processing aids) used in human food production, including supplements. This move indicates heightened regulatory oversight and potential future restrictions on commonly used manufacturing substances.
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Maisons-Alfort, France — 12 October 2026
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has commenced a programme focused on identifying and prioritising the re-evaluation of technological auxiliaries, commonly known as processing aids, utilised in human food manufacturing. This initiative, driven by ANSES's Risk Assessment Directorate, signifies an impending period of increased regulatory scrutiny on substances currently exempt from novel food authorisations or specific additive regulations.
Processing aids facilitate manufacturing processes but are not intended to be present in the final product or are present only at insignificant levels without a functional role. Their widespread use across the food and supplement industries means any re-evaluation could significantly impact formulation flexibility and production costs. The focus on 'identification and prioritisation' suggests a systematic approach to target specific auxiliaries based on consumption data, exposure, or emerging toxicological concerns.
This ANSES action mirrors a broader European trend towards rigorous assessment of all substances within the food chain. While specific auxiliaries have not yet been named, manufacturers should review their current formulations and supply chains for reliance on processing aids that might attract regulatory attention, such as certain anti-caking agents, solvents, or enzyme preparations. The long-term implications could include demands for enhanced toxicological data or even outright restrictions, necessitating significant reformulation for existing product lines.
What this means for France
French manufacturers and brand owners must proactively audit their product portfolios for reliance on specific processing aids. Regulatory actions arising from this ANSES initiative could necessitate reformulation windows of 12-18 months, impacting market access for non-compliant products by late 2027. Businesses should engage with ingredient suppliers to secure data packages on current processing aids and identify potential compliant alternatives, mitigating competitive threats from agile market entrants. Compliance deadlines for any new restrictions will be critical for maintaining market share in French retail channels like Carrefour or Auchan, as well as specialist stores like Biocoop.
The industry must prepare for potential revisions to national guidelines or even EU-level discussions stemming from ANSES's findings. This could lead to a divergence from current practices in other EU member states, presenting a compliance challenge for pan-European brands unless harmonisation occurs rapidly. Investment in R&D for clean label alternatives that minimise or eliminate processing aids will offer a strategic advantage, aligning with evolving consumer preferences for transparency and minimal ingredients.
This trend is being actively addressed by UK manufacturing partners including Supplement Factory.