EFSA statements on use of feed additives
The European Feed Safety Authority recently gave its scientific opinion on the use of rosemary extract, live yeast, potassium diformate, and a phytase for use in production animals’ feeds.
The additive rosemary extract liquid of natural origin is intended to be used as a technological additive (antioxidant) in feed for dogs and cats.
The FEEDAP Panel assessed the data provided by the applicant in the technical dossier, but needed additional information to be able to deliver an opinion on the safety and efficacy.
Because the applicant failed to provide this additional information, the FEEDAP Panel was not in a position to deliver an opinion on the safety and efficacy of liquid rosemary extract as a technological additive for dogs and cats.
Live yeast for rabbits
The additive Actisaf Sc47 (LeSaffre) is a microbiological feed additive consisting only of dried cells of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The supplier requested the re-evaluation of the product when used as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabilisers) in diets for rabbits for fattening and the extension of use in diets for non food-producing rabbits at the inclusion rate of 5 x 109 CFU/kg feedingstuffs.
Three trials performed with weaned rabbits showed the potential of Actisaf Sc47 to reduce mortality when used in diets at a dose of 5 x 109 CFU/kg feed. A similar effect can be expected in non food-producing rabbits.
EFSA considers Saccharomyces cerevisiae to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. Therefore the use of Actisaf Sc47 can be presumed safe for the target species, consumers of products derived from these food-producing species and the environment.
Potassium diformate
EFSA already issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of potassium diformate (KDF preservative) when used as a preservative for raw fish and fish by-products for feed use in all animal species.
The FEEDAP Panel concluded in 2004 that the additive
- is safe for the target species, the consumer and the environment when used under the proposed conditions,
- is an eye irritant and
- has the potential to increase the storage time of raw fish and fish by-products for feed use, in a dose-dependent manner at low temperature.
The FEEDAP Panel is not aware of any new information that would lead it to reconsider its former position.
6-phytase for turkeys
The additive Quantum (AB Vista) is an enzyme preparation containing 6-phytase produced by fermentation of a genetically modified strain of the yeast Pichia pastoris.
The efficacy and safety of this product for chickens for fattening, laying hens, turkeys for fattening, ducks for fattening and piglets (weaned), including the assessment of the safety for the consumer, the user and the environment as well as the safety aspects of the genetic modification, have already been previously assessed by EFSA.
The applicant now asked for a modification of the terms of authorisation of the feed additive when used in turkeys for fattening, by reducing the minimum recommended dose from 1,000 FTU/kg to 500 FTU/kg.
Based on the results obtained in three studies, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive Quantum has the potential to improve phosphorus utilisation in turkeys for fattening at the minimum dose of 500 FTU/kg.
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