Safety and efficacy of non‐conjugated and accumulated unsaturated straight‐chain and branched‐chain, aliphatic primary alcohols, aldehydes, acids, acetals and esters belonging to chemical group 4 when used as flavourings for all animal species

• Main Author: EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2016-08-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: sensory additives; flavourings; unconjugated straight‐chain and branched‐chain aliphatic primary alcohols; aldehydes; acids and esters; chemical group 4
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4559

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 24 compounds belonging to chemical group 4 (non‐conjugated and accumulated unsaturated straight‐chain and branched‐chain, aliphatic primary alcohols, aldehydes, acids, acetals and esters). This opinion concerns 23 compounds from this group. They are currently authorised as flavours in food. The FEEDAP Panel established the following conclusions: hex‐3(cis)‐en‐1‐ol [02.056], (Z)‐non‐6‐en‐1‐ol [02.093], oct‐3‐en‐1‐ol [02.094], non‐6(cis)‐enal [05.059], hex‐3(cis)‐enal [05.075], (Z)‐hept‐4‐enal [05.085], hex‐3(cis)‐enyl acetate [09.197], hex‐3(cis)‐enyl formate [09.240], hex‐3‐enyl butyrate [09.270], hex‐3‐enyl hexanoate [09.271] and hex‐3(cis)‐enyl isobutyrate [09.563] are safe at the proposed maximum use level of 5 mg/kg complete feed for all target species; citronellol [02.011], (‐)‐3,7‐dimethyl‐6‐octen‐1‐ol [02.229], citronellal [05.021], 2,6‐dimethylhept‐5‐enal [05.074], citronellic acid [08.036], citronellyl acetate [09.012], citronellyl butyrate [09.049], citronellyl formate [09.078] and citronellyl propionate [09.129] are safe at the maximum use level of 5 mg/kg for all species, except cats for which the proposed normal use level of 1 mg/kg is considered safe; undec‐10‐enal [05.035], 1‐ethoxy‐1‐(3‐hexenyloxy)ethane [06.081] and hex‐3‐enyl isovalerate [09.505] are safe at the normal use levels of 1 mg/kg for all species. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of these compounds up to the highest safe level in feeds. Hazards for skin and eye contact, and respiratory exposure are recognised for the majority of the compounds under application. Most are classified as irritating to the respiratory system. The use of the majority of the compounds in animal feed at the maximum safe level is considered safe for the environment. As all the compounds under assessment are used in food as flavourings, and their function in feed is essentially the same as in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary.