Poland expands list of prohibited botanical substances in food – Chelidonium majus L. banned

On 19 March 2026, a Regulation of the Polish Minister of Health amending the regulation on substances added to foods was published. The amendment adds Chelidonium majus L. (greater celandine), also referred to as celandine herb, to the list of prohibited substances. The Regulation will enter into force on 3 April 2026.

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For the food sector, this means that once the new rules enter into force, the use of greater celandine in food products and the placing on the market of products containing this ingredient will no longer be permitted. Products already placed on the market before 3 April 2026 may remain on the market for a transitional period of 30 days from the date of entry into force. In practice, this is a clear signal for an immediate review of product portfolios, in particular food supplements and other products containing botanical extracts.

Reason for the ban

According to the Regulatory Impact Assessment, data from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate indicate that since 2007, 33 notifications have been submitted under the national notification system for food supplements containing this ingredient. Based on available scientific evidence, the competent advisory body concluded that the use of such substances may pose a risk to consumer safety. The decision to introduce the ban is also based on current scientific knowledge, regulatory actions in other EU Member States, and positions of EU authorities, which together constitute an objective basis for identifying risks associated with the use of certain botanical substances in food supplements.