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EU Tightens Safety Standards for Frozen Tuna Imports Starting 2026

EUROPEAN UNION
Monday, January 12, 2026, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The European Union is moving to eliminate "trade fraud" and bolster food safety in the seafood sector by implementing stricter freezing requirements for tuna.

Under the newly issued Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1449, which amends Annex III of Regulation (EC) No. 853/2004, the bloc will enforce a uniform cooling standard for all tuna destined for the plates of European consumers.

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Combating Histamine Risks and Market Deception

The legislative shift comes after official EU inspection reports uncovered a loophole in the current supply chain. Some fishing vessels have been utilizing brine freezing—a method traditionally intended for tuna destined for canneries—at temperatures as high as -9°C.

This "warm" freezing allows the fish to be later marketed as "fresh" or "unprocessed" tuna for high-end uses like sashimi, steaks, and loins. However, the EU has officially labeled this practice as trade fraud. Beyond the economic deception, it poses a severe health risk: the buildup of histamine. If tuna is not chilled rapidly and deeply enough, it can cause scombroid poisoning, a chemical intoxication that leads to allergic-like reactions in humans.

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New Technical Requirements for 2026

To ensure market transparency and consumer safety, the EU has established a strict set of mandates that all international exporters must follow:

• The -18°C Standard: Tuna intended for direct human consumption must be frozen to a core temperature of -18°C or lower. This requirement applies even to brine freezing conducted on board vessels.

• Vessel Certification: Only vessels equipped with certified brine freezing systems that meet specific technical criteria will be authorized to supply the EU market.

• Data Integrity: Temperatures must be constantly monitored and recorded. This data must be stored and made available for rigorous official inspections by EU authorities.

  

  Photo: AutoLeather Line/YouTube

Implementation Timeline

Stakeholders in the global seafood industry have a limited window to upgrade their equipment and protocols. The new regulations are set to take effect on January 27, 2026.

Photo: AutoLeather Line/YouTube

After this deadline, any tuna shipment that fails to meet the -18°C core temperature threshold will be prohibited from entering the EU as a product for direct consumption. This move is expected to have a significant impact on major tuna-exporting nations in Southeast Asia and the Pacific, who must now ensure their fleets are compliant with the upgraded European standards.

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