Expana presents Agri-Food for Thought, the podcast series for agriculture and food professionals.
In this episode of Agri-food for Thought, host Simon Duke welcomes Expana Editorial team member Fei Thompson to discuss the dynamic and challenging landscape of the food additives sector in early 2026.
They begin with the global infant formula recalls triggered by cereulide toxin found in arachidonic acid (ARA) oil supplied to major manufacturers like Nestlé, Danone, and Lactalis. The contamination highlights vulnerabilities in global ingredient supply chains and has led to widespread recalls across more than 50 countries. Recent investigations focus on Chinese supplier Cabio Biotech amid regulatory scrutiny and ongoing probes into potential health impacts.
The episode then explores the US “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) initiative, led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. MAHA emphasizes reducing exposure to synthetic additives, especially artificial food dyes, which the FDA aims to phase out through voluntary industry commitments by 2026–2027. Industry reaction is cautious, balancing reformulation costs, supply constraints, and consumer preferences.
Attention also turns to new European Commission regulations tightening safety standards on six common food additives with phased compliance deadlines aimed at preventing supply shocks. These regulatory changes, alongside growing demands for cleaner, natural ingredients and enhanced traceability, reflect a global trend toward stricter oversight and transparency in the food additives and ingredients sectors.
This episode is hosted by Simon Duke, Managing Editor – EMEA and Fei Thompson, Staff Writer
Written by Simon Duke
