The polyphenol Naringenin included in EU Food Flavouring Regulation

Editor's note: this article has been updated on July 8, 2025 at 11:45am ET to correct the name of the company.

In a June 25, 2025, press release, HTBA announced that the naturally occurring polyphenol Naringenin (FL No 16.132) had been included in the European Union Food Flavouring Regulation. HTBA, a manufacturer of citrus flavonoids and active forms of vitamin B12, had developed and submitted a dossier in 2024. The polyphenol contains taste-modifying properties.

“This is a proud moment for HTBA and a meaningful step forward for innovation in natural flavor solutions,” stated Tom D’hoore, Chief Commercial Officer at HTBA, in the press release. “Our team’s commitment to scientific excellence helped make this approval possible, and we are thrilled that our customers in Europe can now use our naringenin to modulate taste and develop the next generation of consumer-friendly food and beverage products. This clean-label ingredient supports natural flavor claims and unlocks new formulation opportunities by improving sensory profiles across a variety of applications – from soft drinks and dairy to proteins, fortified and plant-based foods.”

The regulatory process had spanned eight years. Last year, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) had issued a positive safety opinion of the polyphenol, after which the European Commission authorized its use. As explained in the Commission Regulation¹ published June 4, 2025, an application for the use of Naringenin in various foods had been submitted in October 2021, and in March 2024 EFSA concluded that the substance did not raise safety concerns and was not anticipated to mislead consumers, based on the intended use levels.

Reference

1. EUR-Lex. Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/1112 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2025/1112/oj (accessed 2025-07-01).