EFSA Considers Reduction of Zinc in Animal Feed

The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA’s) Panel on Additives and
Products or Substances Used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP Panel) has proposed
reducing the maximum amount of zinc permitted in animal feed “to ensure
the health, welfare and productivity of the target species.” According to the
FEEDAP Panel, which reviewed the available literature “as well as data received
from national authorities of European countries and from stakeholders,”
the new maximum levels include: (i) 150 mg of Zinc per kilogram (Zn/kg)
complete feed for piglets, sows, rabbits, salmonids, cats, and dogs; (ii) 120
mg Zn/kg complete feed for turkeys for fattening; and (iii) 100 mg Zn/kg
complete feed for all other species and categories. In addition, “the use of
phytase in feeding piglets, pigs for fattening and sows would allow a further
reduction of the newly proposed total maximum contents by 30% (from 150
to 110 mg Zn/kg feed for piglets and sows and from 100 to 70 mg Zn/kg feed
for pigs for fattening).”

“The newly proposed maximum contents do not affect consumer safety,”
concludes the May 5, 2015, scientific opinion. “The FEEDAP Panel expects that
the introduction of the newly proposed total maximum contents, provided
they are applied in feeding practices, would result in an overall reduction of
zinc emissions from animal production of about 20%.”

Issue 523