Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a dry extract obtained from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. (ginkgo extract) for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs (FEFANA asbl).
Abstract: Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a feed additive obtained from the dried leaves of L. (ginkgo extract) when used as a sensory additive in feed for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs. Ginkgo extract contains ≥ 24% total flavonoids, ≥ 6% total terpene lactones and ≤ 1 mg/kg ginkgolic acids. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that ginkgo extract is safe for the target species at the following concentrations in complete feed: 2.8 mg/kg for horses and cats, 1.1 mg/kg for rabbits and guinea pigs, and 3.3 mg/kg for dogs. No safety concern would arise for the consumers from the use of ginkgo extract up to the highest level in feed which is considered safe for food-producing species (horses and rabbits). The additive should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. The use of the additive at the proposed level in feed for the target species is not considered to be a risk to the environment. While the available data indicate that preparations have a distinctive flavour profile, there is no evidence that the ginkgo extract would impart flavour to a food or feed matrix. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the efficacy of the additive.
© 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
Publication Date: 2024-04-10 PubMed ID: 38601873PubMed Central: PMC11004906DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8733Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded research on the safety and effectiveness of using a feed additive derived from Ginkgo biloba leaves for animals such as horses, dogs, cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs. The research finds that the feed additive is safe and does not pose any environmental risks, but there is no evidence that the additive would enhance the flavor of the food or feed.
Research Methodology
- The EFSA was asked by the European Commission to investigate a sensory additive derived from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba.
- For this investigation, the additives were evaluated for their total flavonoids, total terpene lactones, and ginkgolic acid content.
- The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) then reviewed these substances and their impact on the target species.
Findings
- The FEEDAP panel discovered that Ginkgo extract is safe for animals at the following concentrations in complete feed: horses and cats at 2.8 mg/kg, rabbits and guinea pigs at 1.1 mg/kg, and dogs at 3.3 mg/kg.
- There was found to be no safety concern for consumers from the use of ginkgo extract up to the highest level considered safe for food-producing species such as horses and rabbits.
- The extract was, however, found to be irritating to the skin and eyes and could potentially cause dermal and respiratory sensitization.
Environmental Impact and Efficacy
- The research suggested that using the additive in feed does not pose a risk to the environment.
- Despite available data indicating that Ginkgo preparations provide a distinctive flavor profile, there wasn’t any evidence suggesting that the extract would influence the flavor of the food or feed matrix.
- Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel could not definitively conclude on the efficacy of the additive. This means that while the ginkgo extract is safe for use, the researchers did not find any evidence that it improves the taste of the feed.
Cite This Article
APA
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P, Dusemund B.
(2024).
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a dry extract obtained from the leaves of Ginkgo biloba L. (ginkgo extract) for horses, dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs (FEFANA asbl).
EFSA J, 22(4), e8733.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8733 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
Conflict of Interest Statement
If you wish to access the declaration of interests of any expert contributing to an EFSA scientific assessment, please contact interestmanagement@efsa.europa.eu.
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