Safety and efficacy of l‐threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum ■■■■■ for all animal species

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 l‐threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum ■■■■■ when used as nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The product under assessment is l‐threonine produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of C. glutamicum (■■■■■). The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in the additive. The product l‐threonine, manufactured by fermentation with C. glutamicum, ■■■■■ does not give rise to any safety concern with regard to the production strain. l‐Threonine produced using C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is considered safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns regarding the safety of the simultaneous oral administration of l‐threonine via water for drinking and feed. l‐Threonine produced using C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is safe for the consumer. The additive is not a skin or eye irritant and is not a skin sensitiser. Although the workers can be exposed by inhalation, the results of an acute inhalation study showed that risk of adverse effects by inhalation is low. l‐Threonine produced using C. glutamicum ■■■■■ is safe for the environment. The product under assessment is considered an efficacious source of the amino acid l‐threonine for all animal species. For l‐threonine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non‐ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen.