Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel tincture) for use in all animal species (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 tincture from the fruit of Mill. ssp. v var. (sweet fennel tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 2.16%. The product contained 0.0586% polyphenols (of which 0.0052% were flavonoids), anethole (0.0006%), anisaldehyde (0.0035%) and estragole (0.0006%). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that sweet fennel tincture is safe at the maximum proposed use levels of 200 mg/kg complete feed for horses and 50 mg/kg complete feed for all other animal species. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount which is considered safe when consumed via feed. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of sweet fennel tincture up to the maximum proposed use levels in feed. Sweet fennel tincture should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to estragole cannot be excluded. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. is native to Europe. The use of sweet fennel tincture as a flavour in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the fruit of and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same, no demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.
© 2023 Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KgaA on behalf of the European Food Safety Authority.
Publication Date: 2023-01-03 PubMed ID: 36620493PubMed Central: PMC9810841DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7693Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research article discusses the safety and efficacy of using a tincture from the fruit of sweet fennel as an additive in animal feed, based on an investigation by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). It concluded that sweet fennel tincture is safe for use in specific quantities in animal feed and water and does not pose a risk for the environment, but care must be taken when handling the additive due to potential skin and respiratory sensitization.
Research Scope and Aim
- The European Commission requested EFSA to conduct this study with an aim to scientifically verify the safety and efficacy of sweet fennel tincture as an additive in animal feed and drinking water for all animal species.
Nature of the Additive
- The additive, sweet fennel tincture, is derived from the fruit of sweet fennel, is a liquid solution with dry matter content of about 2.16%, and contains compounds like polyphenols, flavonoids, anethole, anisaldehyde, and estragole.
- Sweet fennel originates from Europe and is known for its use as a flavoring agent in food.
Safety and Efficacy of the Feed Additive
- The EFSA panel on additives and products or substances in animal feed (FEEDAP) examined the safety of the sweet fennel tincture and concluded it is safe at maximum levels of 200 mg/kg complete feed for horses and 50 mg/kg complete feed for other animal species.
- When used in drinking water, the total daily intake should not exceed the safe daily amount consumed in feed.
Impact on Consumer and Environment
- The study concludes that there would be no safety concerns for consumers from the use of sweet fennel tincture up to the maximum levels in feed.
- Regarding environmental impact, using sweet fennel tincture as a food flavor in animal feed was not expected to pose any risks.
Handling and Safety Measures
- The research acknowledges that sweet fennel tincture could be a skin and eye irritant, and also potentially cause dermal and respiratory sensitization.
- As exposure to estragole – one component of the additive – cannot be completely excluded when handling the additive, efforts should be made to minimize handler exposure as much as possible to reduce risk.
Cite This Article
APA
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Fašmon Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Brantom P, Chesson A, Westendorf J, Manini P, Pizzo F, Dusemund B.
(2023).
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the fruit of Foeniculum vulgare Mill. ssp. vulgare var. dulce (sweet fennel tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).
EFSA J, 21(1), e07693.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7693 Publication
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