Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from fresh leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi Maton & Sm. ex R. Powell and Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. (cajuput oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).
Abstract: Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of cajuput oil obtained from fresh leaves of Maton & Sm. ex R. Powell and (L.) L., when used as a sensory additive for all animal species. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that cajuput oil is safe up to the maximum proposed use levels in complete feed of 30 mg/kg for sows and dogs, 50 mg/kg for horses and ornamental fish, 40 mg/kg for salmon and 5 mg/kg for cats. For the other species, the calculated safe concentrations were 18 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 26 mg/kg for laying hens, 23 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 37 mg/kg for pigs for fattening, 31 mg/kg for piglets, 78 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer), 69 mg/kg for cattle for fattening and sheep/goats, 45 mg/kg for dairy cows and 28 mg/kg for rabbits. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 5 mg/kg complete feed. The use of cajuput oil in water for drinking was considered safe provided that the total daily intake does not exceed the daily amount considered safe when consumed via feed. No concerns for consumers and the environment were identified following the use of the additive up to the highest safe use level in feed. The essential oil under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since cajuput oil was recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.
© 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: 38601874PubMed Central: PMC11004901DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8732Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research article discusses EFSA’s findings on the safety and effectiveness of a feed additive derived from cajuput oil, an essential oil sourced from fresh leaves of certain Melaleuca species, when used as a sensory additive for different animal species.
Objective of Research
- In this study, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was tasked with forming a scientific opinion regarding the use of cajuput oil, sourced from fresh leaves of Maton & Sm. ex R. Powell and (L.) L. species, as a sensory additive for all animal species.
Findings
- The study indicated that cajuput oil is safe for various animal species up to varying established maximum proposed use levels in complete feed. The given levels ranged from 5 mg/kg (for cats) to 78 mg/kg (for veal calves). The safe concentrations were calculated for different species like chickens for fattening, laying hens, turkeys for fattening, pigs for fattening, piglets, veal calves, cattle for fattening and sheep/goats, dairy cows and rabbits.
- The usage of cajuput oil has also been deemed safe in water for drinking, as long as the total daily intake does not exceed the safe daily amount when consumed via feed.
- From an environmental perspective, the use of the additive posed no identified concerns for consumers and the environment, up to the highest safe use level in feed.
Safety Concerns
- The research found some safety concerns related to the essential oil. It was deemed an irritant to both skin and eyes, and also a potential cause of dermal and respiratory sensitisation, referring to allergic reactions that could occur with skin contact or inhalation.
Efficacy Assertions
- Since cajuput oil is already recognised for its flavouring properties in food, and its function in feed would essentially be identical to that in food, there was no need for further testing of its efficacy. It was deemed effective based on its existing known uses.
Cite This Article
APA
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, Puente SL, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Chesson A, Schlatter J, Westendorf J, Dirven Y, Manini P, Dusemund B.
(2024).
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from fresh leaves of Melaleuca cajuputi Maton & Sm. ex R. Powell and Melaleuca leucadendra (L.) L. (cajuput oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).
EFSA J, 22(4), e8732.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8732 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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