Safety and efficacy of eight compounds belonging to chemical group 31 (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons) when used as flavourings for all animal species and categories

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP Panel) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 17 compounds belonging to chemical group 31 (aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons). They are currently authorised for use as flavours in food. This opinion concerns eight compounds from this group. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that b-pinene, a-pinene, b-caryophyllene, myrcene, camphene, b-ocimene and δ-3-carene are safe at the proposed maximum dose level (5 mg/kg complete feed) for all animal species, except myrcene and β-ocimene when 4 mg/kg would apply for cats. For valencene, the calculated safe use level is 1.5 mg/kg complete feed for cattle, salmonids and non-food producing animals, and 1.0 mg/kg complete feed for pigs and poultry. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of these compounds up to the highest safe levels in feeds. The Panel is unable to conclude on user safety in the absence of specific data. The use of the compounds in animal nutrition would not pose a risk for the environment provided that the concentrations regarded as safe for the target species are not exceeded. As all of 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 is necessary. However, in the absence of data on the stability/survival in water for drinking, the FEEDAP Panel is unable to conclude on the safety or efficacy of the substances under this mode of delivery.