Safety and efficacy of the feed additives 2‐acetylfuran [13.054] and 2‐pentylfuran [13.059] belonging to chemical group 14 for animal species (FEFANA asbl)

Abstract

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 2‐acetylfuran [13.054] and 2‐pentylfuran [13.059] belonging to chemical group 14 (furfuryl and furan derivatives with and without additional side‐chain substituents and heteroatoms), when used as sensory additives (flavourings) in feed for all animal species. 2‐Acetylfuran [13.054] was tested in tolerance studies in chickens for fattening, weaned piglets and cattle for fattening. No adverse effects were observed in the tolerance studies at 10‐fold the intended use level. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that 2‐acetylfuran [13.054] is safe for these species at the proposed use level of 0.5 mg/kg and conclusions were extrapolated to all animal species. For 2‐pentylfuran [13.059], the Panel concluded that it is safe at the proposed maximum use level in feed of 0.5 mg/kg. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of 2‐acetylfuran [13.054] and 2‐pentylfuran [13.059] up to the proposed maximum use level in feed as flavourings. The additives should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes and the respiratory tract, and as dermal and respiratory sensitisers. The use of 2‐acetylfuran [13.054] and 2‐pentylfuran [13.059] as flavours in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the compounds under assessment are used in food as flavourings and their function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Keywords

• sensory additives
• feed flavourings
• furan derivatives
• 2‐acetylfuran
• 2‐pentylfuran
• safety