Recycled Phosphorus Shown Safe for Animal Feed
New research suggests recycled wastewater nutrients could meet safety standards, potentially shifting EU feed policies.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Organic Food
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Should the EU allow the use of high-quality recycled phosphorus in animal feed?
Aarhus University researchers have found that phosphorus recovered from sewage sludge meets safety limits for heavy metals. This finding may influence current EU regulations that strictly prohibit the use of recycled wastewater nutrients in animal feed.
Why it matters
The EU currently imports phosphorus from countries like Russia and Morocco, classifying it as a critical raw material. Allowing recycled sources could reduce import dependence and support a more circular nutrient economy.
Aarhus University conducted a risk assessment measuring cadmium, arsenic, mercury, and lead levels in phosphorus recovered via the Ash2Phos process. Researchers confirmed these levels remain below established EU safety benchmarks for feed products.
The players
Aarhus University
A Danish research institution that conducted the safety assessment on recycled phosphorus.
Swedish National Veterinary Institute
A Swedish agency that previously evaluated the pathogen risks associated with wastewater-derived fertilizers.
European Food Safety Authority
An agency that provides scientific advice to the EU, currently the subject of a request for a new risk assessment.
The details
The Ash2Phos process works by extracting phosphorus from incinerated sewage sludge ash to produce a refined product called RevoCaP. By analyzing these samples, researchers evaluated the chemical safety of the material for potential use in the food supply chain. A prior 2023 assessment by the Swedish National Veterinary Institute also determined that the risk of infectious pathogens in this recovered phosphorus is negligible.
Timeline
2023: The Swedish National Veterinary Institute assessed pathogen risks in recovered phosphorus.
October 13, 2026: Aarhus University released the results of its latest risk assessment.
Health Landscape
The study challenges the current EU legislative framework that categorizes all wastewater-recycled nutrients as ineligible for animal feed regardless of purity. This shift suggests a transition toward prioritizing material safety standards over the origin of the raw supply.
While these findings focus on livestock feed, they highlight a growing trend toward validating the safety of recycled agricultural materials. Consumers interested in the purity of their food supply can monitor future regulatory updates from the EU regarding animal feed ingredients.
The takeaway
The research suggests that advanced recycling techniques can produce nutrient sources that meet safety benchmarks. Follow updates from the European Food Safety Authority to see if legislative changes follow this scientific evidence.
Further reading
Learn more about the evolving standards for agricultural inputs in our Organic Food section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by National Hog Farmer.
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Should the EU allow the use of high-quality recycled phosphorus in animal feed?
