EFSA Journal (Jun 2018)

Modification of the terms of authorisation of lecithins as a feed additive for all animal species

  • EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (EFSA FEEDAP Panel),
  • Guido Rychen,
  • Gabriele Aquilina,
  • Giovanna Azimonti,
  • Vasileios Bampidis,
  • Maria de Lourdes Bastos,
  • Georges Bories,
  • Andrew Chesson,
  • Pier Sandro Cocconcelli,
  • Gerhard Flachowsky,
  • Boris Kolar,
  • Maryline Kouba,
  • Marta López‐Alonso,
  • Secundino López Puente,
  • Alberto Mantovani,
  • Baltasar Mayo,
  • Fernando Ramos,
  • Maria Saarela,
  • Roberto Edoardo Villa,
  • Robert John Wallace,
  • Pieter Wester,
  • Anne‐Katrine Lundebye,
  • Carlo Nebbia,
  • Derek Renshaw,
  • Matteo Lorenzo Innocenti,
  • Jürgen Gropp

DOI
https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2018.5334
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 16, no. 6
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the modification of the terms of authorisation of lecithins as a feed additive for all animal species. Lecithins are currently authorised for use in feed for all animal species (Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2017/2325). The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion of the additive lecithins in 2016. The Panel concluded that lecithins are safe for the target species, the consumer, the user and the environment, and that they are efficacious as emulsifier. The requested modification refers to the alignment of the specifications of the feed additive to the specifications set for lecithins when used as food additives, and the inclusion in the authorisation of rapeseed among the botanical sources of hydrolysed and de‐oiled lecithins and of de‐oiled hydrolysed soybean lecithins as an additional form of the additive. Based on the data available, all the lecithins of different botanical origin and their forms under application meet the specifications set for the use of lecithins as a food additive. The Panel therefore recommended applying the specifications set for food additive to the lecithins under application. In its previous opinion, the Panel concluded that lecithins are safe for the target species, the consumer, the user and the environment, and that they are efficacious as an emulsifier. The Panel is not aware of any information related to the use of rapeseed as an additional source of hydrolysed liquid lecithins and de‐oiled lecithin powder that would modify the previous conclusions.

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