EU poised to approve S-acetyl-L-glutathione as a novel food
On 19 September 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued public consultation document No. PC-1620, formally proposing to authorize S-acetyl-L-glutathione (SAG) as a novel food.
The move marks a milestone for this potent antioxidant in Europe, granting it authoritative recognition for use in foods and dietary supplements.
A next-generation precursor of the body's master antioxidant glutathione (GSH), SAG solves the long-standing problem of poor oral bioavailability that limits native GSH.
Acetylation shields the molecule from gastric acid and digestive enzymes, markedly increases lipid solubility, and raises absorption 3-5-fold compared with conventional glutathione.
Once inside cells, SAG is rapidly de-acetylated to active GSH, delivering antioxidant and detoxification benefits.
Systemic toxicology studies have confirmed its safety: in vitro genotoxicity assays show no mutagenic or clastogenic potential;
the acute oral LD₅₀ exceeds 2 000 mg kg⁻¹, and a 13-week repeat-dose study found no adverse effects at daily intakes up to 1 500 mg kg⁻¹, fully supporting its dietary use [1].
Under the proposed EFSA specification, SAG is intended for adolescents ≥10 years and adults, permitted in food supplements and foods for special medical purposes at a maximum daily dose of 300 mg.
This level aligns with its safety profile while meeting diverse health needs: beauty-focused consumers can leverage its radical-scavenging activity to slow skin ageing;
liver-health seekers may benefit from its ability to neutralise metabolic toxins and reduce hepatocyte damage;
and individuals with chronic conditions can use it to modulate oxidative stress and support overall management.
The anticipated approval not only grants SAG a compliant "passport" into the EU market—resolving the long-standing absence of official import criteria—but also provides a science-based safety benchmark for consumers worldwide.
The public consultation closed on 10 October 2025, and the regulatory process is proceeding on schedule.
Final authorization is expected to accelerate SAG's integration into mainstream dietary supplements.
From laboratory safety validation to EU regulatory acceptance, SAG—valued for its superior bioavailability and well-defined safety—is emerging as a new benchmark in antioxidant nutrition.
As global demand for evidence-based natural actives grows, this scientifically vetted "antioxidant star" promises consumers a more effective and safer route to health.
Reference
[1] Camillerapp C, Mayfield D B, Papineni S, et al. Safety assessment of S-Acetyl Glutathione for use in foods and dietary supplements[J]. Food and Chemical Toxicology, 2025, 199: 115279.
https://connect.efsa.europa.eu/RM/s/consultations/publicconsultation2/a0lTk000005cmvB/pc1620
*Special note - This article is for informational purposes only and cannot replace a doctor's treatment diagnosis and advice. It should not be regarded as a recommendation or proof of efficacy of the medical products involved. If it involves disease diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation, please be sure to go to a professional medical institution to seek professional advice.
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