Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide for all animal species (Eusalt a.i.s.b.l.).
Abstract: Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide as technological feed additives for all animal species. In its previous opinion on the safety and efficacy of the additives, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide is safe, when added to sodium chloride at a maximum content of 80 mg ferrocyanide anions (anhydrous)/kg for turkeys for fattening and laying hens and other laying/breeding birds, all porcine species and categories, all ruminant species and categories, rabbits, horses, salmonids and other minor fin fish, dogs and cats. However, the Panel could not conclude on the safety of the additives for chickens for fattening and other poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding other than turkeys, and for all species/categories other than the above listed. In the current assessment, the applicant is proposing a maximum content of 60 mg ferrocyanide anions (anhydrous)/kg sodium chloride for chickens for fattening and other poultry species (except turkeys) for fattening or reared for laying/breeding and for all species/categories other than the listed above. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide are safe at a maximum content of 80 mg ferrocyanide anions (anhydrous)/kg sodium chloride for: turkeys for fattening and reared for breeding, laying hens and other laying/breeding birds, all porcine species, all ruminant species, rabbits, equines, salmonids and minor fin fish, dogs and cats. The Panel concluded also that a maximum content of 60 mg ferrocyanide anions (anhydrous)/kg sodium chloride is safe for chickens for fattening and minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding and all other animal species.
© 2024 European Food Safety Authority. EFSA Journal published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH on behalf of European Food Safety Authority.
Publication Date: 2024-07-12 PubMed ID: 39005716PubMed Central: PMC11240105DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8851Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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This research examines the safety and effectiveness of using sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide as feed additives for all animal species. The findings indicate that these additives, when mixed with sodium chloride, are safe for most animal species, but only up to a certain concentration.
About the Research
EFSA (The European Food Safety Authority) was requested by the European Commission to give a scientific opinion on the use of two feed additives, sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide, for all species of animals. These are chemical compounds that are used to boost certain properties of animal feed, but their safety in this use has been a subject of concern.
Their past studies have determined that these additives are safe to use in animal feeds up to an 80 mg maximum of ferrocyanide anions per kilogram of sodium chloride for a wide range of animals. This list includes turkeys, laying hens, pigs, cattle, rabbits, horses, dogs, cats and certain types of fish.
Safety Concerns for Some Species
- In the previous studies, the research panel had been unable to conclude on the safety of these additives for chickens bred for fattening and other poultry breeds aimed for fattening or breeding, with the exception of turkeys.
- Similarly, they had not reached a conclusion about the use of the additives in feeds for any animals not listed in the safety group.
New Proposals from the EFSA
- The current study assessed a proposal from an applicant suggesting a reduced maximum level of 60 mg ferrocyanide anions per kg of sodium chloride for the feeds of chickens and other poultry breeds intended for fattening or breeding.
- This reduced maximum level was also proposed for all species and categories not listed in the previous safe use list.
Final Conclusions of the Research
The expert panel from the EFSA found that sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide are safe to use as feed additives up to the previously mentioned maximum level for the previously listed animals. For chickens bred for fattening, other minor poultry breeds intended for fattening or breeding, and all other animals, a reduced maximum level of 60 mg per kg of sodium chloride was deemed safe too.
Cite This Article
APA
Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos ML, Christensen H, Durjava M, Dusemund B, Kouba M, López-Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechová A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Villa RE, Woutersen R, Galobart J, Vettori MV, Rovesti E, Innocenti M.
(2024).
Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide for all animal species (Eusalt a.i.s.b.l.).
EFSA J, 22(7), e8851.
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2024.8851 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.
References
This article includes 2 references
- Rychen G, Aquilina G, Azimonti G, Bampidis V, Bastos M L, Bories G, Chesson A, Cocconcelli P S, Flachowsky G, Gropp J, Kolar B, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, López Puente S, Mantovani A, Mayo B, Ramos F, Saarela M, Martino L. Guidance on the assessment of the safety of feed additives for the target species. EFSA Journal 15(10), 5021.
- Bampidis V, Azimonti G, Bastos M L, Christensen H, Dusemund B, Durjava M, Kouba M, López‐Alonso M, López Puente S, Marcon F, Mayo B, Pechova A, Petkova M, Ramos F, Sanz Y, Villa R E, Woutersen R, Aquilina G, Innocenti M L. Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of feedadditives consisting of sodium ferrocyanide and potassium ferrocyanide for all animal species (Eusalta.i.s.b.l.). EFSA Journal 21(4), 7960.
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