Safety and efficacy of a preparation of algae interspaced bentonite as a feed additive for all animal species

• Main Authors: EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), Guido Rychen, Gabriele Aquilina, Giovanna Azimonti, Vasileios Bampidis, Maria deLourdes Bastos, Georges Bories, Andrew Chesson, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Gerhard Flachowsky, Jürgen Gropp, Boris Kolar, Maryline Kouba, Marta López‐Alonso, Alberto Mantovani, Baltasar Mayo, Fernando Ramos, Maria Saarela, Roberto Edoardo Villa, Robert John Wallace, Pieter Wester, Giovanna Martelli, Derek Renshaw, Secundino López Puente
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2016-11-01
• Series: EFSA Journal
• Subjects: technological additives; mycotoxin binder; bentonite; algae; Ulva spp.; all animal species
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2016.4623

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 a preparation of algae interspaced bentonite when used as aflatoxin B1 binder for all animal species. The additive is composed of bentonite and algae belonging to Ulva spp. The additive is considered safe for weaned piglets, dairy cows and chickens for fattening at the maximum recommended dose of 125 mg/kg complete feed (a wide margin of safety is established in weaned piglets and dairy cows); this conclusion is extrapolated to all animal species. The additive is not genotoxic. As bentonite is essentially not absorbed from the gut lumen and algae from Ulva spp. are not expected to be of concern for human consumption, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of the additive in animal nutrition is safe for consumers. The additive is not an irritant to the skin or the eyes and it is considered to have low inhalation toxicity. However, the additive has a high dusting potential and contains a high proportion of fine particles. A high level of inhalation exposure to an inert dust may be hazardous. In the absence of data, the Panel could not conclude on dermal sensitisation. As the components of the additive are of natural origin (soil and marine environment), it is not expected that the use of the additive in animal nutrition would adversely affect the environment. The FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of the additive for all animal species.