ANSES Issues New Lithium Reference Values for Oral & Respiratory Exposure
France's ANSES has published updated toxicological reference values for lithium via oral and respiratory routes, impacting ingredient safety assessments and potential product formulations.
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Paris, France — 16 April 2026
The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has released new toxicological reference values (VTRs) for lithium. These updated guidelines, issued on 20 February 2026, cover both oral and respiratory exposure pathways, encompassing acute, short-term, and long-term scenarios. Manufacturers and brand owners utilising lithium in any capacity, particularly within dietary supplements or functional foods intended for the French market, must now integrate these revised benchmarks into their product safety assessments.
This development stems from ANSES's internal review under referral number 2024-MPEX-0101, reflecting an ongoing effort to update and refine safety parameters for various substances. The new VTRs are critical for determining acceptable daily intakes and occupational exposure limits, directly influencing formulation practices and labelling requirements for ingestible products.
The specific values provided by ANSES serve as a scientific basis for regulatory limits, meaning any product containing lithium must demonstrate compliance with these updated thresholds to maintain market access in France. Companies should anticipate increased scrutiny on impurity profiles and dosage concentrations for lithium-containing ingredients. The comprehensive nature of these VTRs, covering various exposure durations, indicates a robust approach to managing potential health risks, necessitating proactive measures from the industry.
What this means for France
French supplement manufacturers must promptly update their risk assessments for all products containing lithium. This necessitates immediate review of current formulations, particularly those marketed for mental wellness or mood support, against the new acute and chronic oral VTRs. Procurement teams should engage with ingredient suppliers to obtain updated specifications and ensure lithium purity levels align with the stricter guidelines, potentially leading to increased raw material costs or longer lead times for compliant materials. Brands have a narrow window ahead of typical Q3/Q4 2026 product cycles to implement any required reformulations to avoid market withdrawal or regulatory penalties. Competitive advantage will go to those who swiftly adapt, ensuring uninterrupted supply to retailers like Carrefour and Leclerc.
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