Lucerne leaf extract from Medicago sativa: authorised novel food in the EU
Lucerne leaf extract from Medicago sativa is on the Union list of authorised novel foods (Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470). Conditions of use and maximum levels: Food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC: 10 g/day
- Regulation
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, Annex, Table 1
- Listed as
- Lucerne leaf extract from Medicago sativa
- Text version
- Consolidated text of 10 August 2026
- Version
- Consolidated text of 10 August 2026
- Official source
- Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, Annex, Union list of novel foods
Conditions of use and maximum levels
Table 1, column "Conditions under which the novel food may be used", as written:
- Food supplements as defined in Directive 2002/46/EC: 10 g/day
Additional specific labelling requirements
The designation of the novel food on the labelling of the foodstuffs containing it shall be ‘Lucerne (Medicago sativa) protein’ or ‘Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) protein’.
Specification (Table 2)
Table 2 of the Annex, row with the same name, as written:
Description/Definition:
The Lucerne (Medicago sativa L.) is processed within 2 hours after harvest. It is chopped and crushed. By passing through an oleaginous-type press, the Lucerne provides a fibrous residue and press juice (10 % of dry matter). The dry matter of this juice contains about 35 % of crude protein. The press juice (pH 5,8-6,2) is neutralised. Preheating and vapour injection allows coagulation of proteins associated with carotenoid and chlorophyll pigments. The protein precipitate is separated by centrifugation and thereafter dried. After adding ascorbic acid the Lucerne protein concentrate is granulated and stored in inert gas or in cold storage.
Composition:
Protein: 45-60 %
Fat: 9-11 %
Free carbohydrates (soluble fibre): 1-2 %
Polysaccharides (insoluble fibre): 11-15 %
including cellulose: 2-3 %
Minerals: 8-13 %
Saponins: ≤ 1,4 %
Isoflavones: ≤ 350 mg/kg
Coumestrol: ≤ 100 mg/kg
Phytates: ≤ 200 mg/kg
L-canavanine: ≤ 4,5 mg/kg
Source and version
Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2470, Annex, Union list of novel foods, Table 1. Consolidated text of 10 August 2026. The text above is copied from that document without change except that amendment markers are removed. It is not advice and it does not decide whether a particular product is covered.
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