Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the seeds of Myristica fragrans Houtt. (nutmeg oil) for all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

The research paper investigates the safety and effectiveness of using nutmeg oil, specifically extracted from Myristica fragrans Houtt. seeds, as an additive in animal feed and drinking water for all animal species. Overall, the study concludes the use of nutmeg oil as a feed additive to be generally safe at the tested concentrations, though potential irritations and sensitisation to skin and respiratory system should be taken into account, and due to the presence of safrole, nutmeg oil should be handled as a category 1B carcinogen.

Investigation on Nutmeg Oil in Animal Feed

• The study was initiated on the request of the European Commission seeking an evaluation of the nutmeg oil’s safety and efficacy as a sensory additive in animal feed and drinking water for all species.
• The oil contains compounds including myristicin, safrole, elemicin, and methyleugenol in respective proportions.
• The FEEDAP panel, given responsibility for the assessment, divided their consideration into two animal categories: long-living and reproductive ones and short-living ones.

Safety and Efficacy for Long-Living and Reproductive Animals

• The FEEDAP panel decided that the use of nutmeg oil was of low concern for animals like laying hens, rabbits, sows, dairy cows, sheep/goats, horses, dogs, cats, and ornamental fish at varying feed concentrations.
• The maximum concentration allowed for such animals varied between 0.2 mg/kg (for laying hens and rabbits) and 2.5 mg/kg (for ornamental fish).

Safety and Efficacy for Short-Living Animals

• For shorter-living animals such as veal calves, cattle for fattening, sheep/goats, horses for meat production, and salmon, the additive was deemed safe at the maximum proposed use level of 10 mg/kg.
• Different levels were established for other species like turkeys, chickens for fattening, piglets, pigs for fattening and rabbits for meat production, ranging from 2.8 mg/kg to 6.0 mg/kg.

Extrapolation and Conclusions

• The findings for each specific group of animals were extrapolated to other physiologically-related species.
• The additive was considered of low concern at a concentration of 0.2 mg/kg for any other species.
• The use of nutmeg oil in animal feed was expected to pose no concern for consumers and the environment.
• However, the additive should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes, a skin and respiratory sensitizer.
• The presence of safrole led to the categorization of nutmeg oil as a category 1B carcinogen, meaning that it should be handled accordingly.
• As the oil was recognized for its food-flavouring effect, no further demonstration was considered necessary for its possible function in the animal feed.