EU Committee Opposed Proposed Plant Extract Ban
Lawmakers rejected a move to ban rhubarb, senna, and buckthorn extracts, citing a lack of sufficient scientific evidence.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Organic Food
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The European Parliament Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety voted to block a European Commission proposal to ban plants containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives. The proposed ban would have impacted food preparations made from rhubarb, senna, and buckthorn.
Why it matters
Lawmakers argued that current scientific evidence does not justify a broad prohibition on these botanical preparations. They expressed preference for addressing concerns regarding dosages and conditions of use rather than imposing a blanket restriction on the ingredients.
The committee adopted the resolution by a narrow margin of 39 to 38 votes. The measure specifically challenges a proposed European Commission ban on hydroxyanthracene derivatives, noting that previous attempts to restrict these plant-based ingredients have been annulled by EU courts.
The players
European Parliament Committee on Environment, Climate and Food Safety
A legislative body that oversees EU public health, environmental, and food safety policies.
European Commission
The executive branch of the European Union responsible for proposing legislation on food safety and agriculture.
The details
The proposed European Commission ban targeted plants containing hydroxyanthracene derivatives, substances naturally found in plants like rhubarb, senna, and buckthorn. Members of the European Parliament raised concerns that the evidence provided does not support a total ban. They suggested that future regulatory efforts should instead focus on refining acceptable dosages, specific preparations, and conditions of use for consumers.
Timeline
The committee adopted the resolution opposing the ban on October 5, 2026.
A plenary vote on the text is scheduled for this week.
Health Landscape
This vote marks a significant departure from the European Commission's food safety regulatory framework regarding botanical derivatives. It reflects an ongoing tension between legislative efforts to strictly regulate plant-based compounds and the demand for evidence-based policymaking.
This development means that food products containing rhubarb, senna, or buckthorn remain on the market as regulators continue to debate their safety criteria. If you have concerns about the safety or appropriate use of these botanical extracts, it is worth discussing them with your doctor.
The takeaway
Legislators have paused a proposed ban on certain plant extracts, citing a need for more rigorous scientific justification. When using supplements or food preparations containing potent botanical ingredients, always verify the product source and speak with a clinician about safe dosage limits.
What happens next
The European Parliament is scheduled to hold a full plenary vote on the resolution later this week.
Further reading
For context on the regulation of plant-based ingredients, visit Organic Food.
More information
Review the full Parliamentary resolution text for detailed language on the committee's position.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.
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