MOAH, Ingredient Demand and Snack Industry Consolidation

Key developments for food manufacturers, ingredient suppliers, retailers and regulatory affairs as at 4 August 2026

EU plans for MOAH maximum levels are becoming more specific, Naturals and Savory are driving Symrise’s food business, and Intersnack intends to strengthen its US snack market position substantially through an investment in Utz.

Executive summary:

A considerably more binding EU regime for mineral oil hydrocarbons is taking shape, although the legal acts have not yet been adopted. Symrise reports rising demand for food and beverage solutions, particularly Naturals and Savory. Intersnack’s agreed investment in Utz also illustrates how European food groups seek US market access through partnerships and acquisitions. This transaction, too, has yet to be completed.

MOAH: preparations for maximum levels become concrete

The European Commission has consolidated the status of its planned mineral oil hydrocarbon measures and issued revision 3 of its FAQ. It states that Member States agreed draft MOAH maximum levels and harmonised sampling and analysis requirements on 13 May; a recommendation on monitoring MOAH and MOSH was also endorsed. Formal adoption is currently planned for October 2026, with most MOAH maximum levels intended to apply from 1 January 2027. Until publication in the Official Journal, however, this remains a legislative proposal rather than an amendment already in force. [1]

The FAQ refines the practical approach: total MOAH is generally to be assessed. A finding limited to one- and two-ring compounds should not support a different conclusion of safety; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons within the MOAH hump are not to be subtracted either. The Commission considers the IP346 test unsuitable for demonstrating the absence of MOAH. The FAQ expressly describes itself as the provisional view of Commission services. The current version of Contaminants Regulation (EU) 2023/915 remains decisive; it does not yet include the proposed maximum levels. Independently, Member States have agreed to use the draft values from 13 May as a basis for enforcement under Article 14 of General Food Law Regulation (EC) No 178/2002. [1] [2]

Manufacturers should therefore not wait until October. Their review should cover higher-risk raw materials, process oils and release agents, recycled and paper packaging, supplier specifications, and the limits of quantification actually achievable by the appointed laboratory. A clear escalation process is particularly important: a positive screening result, root-cause analysis and the legal decision on whether a product may be marketed are three separate steps.

Symrise: Naturals and Savory drive the food business

Symrise reports organic growth of 4.9 per cent in its Taste, Nutrition & Health segment in the second quarter and 3.2 per cent in the first half. Within Food & Beverage, Savory and Naturals reportedly grew organically in the high single digits, and Sweet in the mid single digits. All figures and market characterisations are company statements. [3]

This does not establish an industry-wide ingredient recovery, but it is a relevant demand signal: manufacturers continue to invest in flavour profiles, natural raw-material concepts and application-focused solutions. For purchasing and development, this supports early clarification of which natural ingredients are adequately specified, scalable and permitted in the target market. A supplier’s revenue growth replaces neither supply capability assessment nor qualification of a second source.

Intersnack and Utz: a bridge into the US snack market

Düsseldorf-based snack manufacturer Intersnack and US supplier Utz Brands have announced a binding agreement on a new ownership structure. Intersnack intends to acquire all outstanding publicly traded Class A shares in Utz for US$14.25 per share. The transaction is assigned an enterprise value of approximately US$2.9 billion. Following the planned completion, Intersnack and the founding Rice and Lissette families would each hold 50 per cent of Utz, which would subsequently cease trading on the New York Stock Exchange. All figures and objectives are company statements. [4]

Completion is expected in the fourth quarter of 2026 but remains subject, among other conditions, to required shareholder and regulatory approvals. The announcement must therefore not be equated with a completed acquisition. Nevertheless, its strategic significance is clear: Intersnack would gain direct access to established US brands and distribution structures, while Utz could draw on the manufacturing, technology and innovation resources of an international snack producer. No definite immediate changes arise for suppliers and retailers; actual completion and subsequent decisions on assortment, sourcing, production and distribution will be decisive. [4]

Wishing you a successful week, Andreas Gebhart

Sources

All sources last checked and accessed on 3 August 2026.

1. Kontaminanten-Katalog – MOH und regulatorischer Folgestand sowie FAQ Rev. 3 zu den geplanten MOH-Maßnahmen.
2. Verordnung (EU) 2023/915 über Höchstgehalte für bestimmte Kontaminanten in Lebensmitteln und Basisverordnung (EG) Nr. 178/2002.
3. Symrise: Halbjahresergebnisse 2026, Unternehmensmitteilung vom 30. Juli 2026.
4. Vereinbarung über den Einstieg von Intersnack und die geplante Privatisierung von Utz; ergänzend Unternehmensmeldung von Intersnack.

Note: This article provides professional information and does not constitute legal advice. The specific product, target market and legislation in force at the time of the decision are decisive. Image: AI-generated.