A first set of authorizations of feed flavorings compounds was published on Jan. 17 for more than 150 compounds pertaining to 15 dossiers of Chemically Defined Substances. These dossiers were submitted to the European Commission and EFSA by the Feed Flavorings Authorization Consortia (FFAC) in 2010 for re-authorization according to Article 10 of Regulation (EC) 1831/2003.
The conditions of use of these re-authorizations are significantly different from their previous authorized use as per Directive 70/524/EEC. Whereas the previous authorization did not provide limits for level of inclusion of the great majority of flavorings in feed, the new authorizations have in their majority a recommended use level for all species, including cats and dogs, and few of them have also a maximum permitted level. Such levels are recommended based on the safety assessment performed by EFSA.
Therefore, recommended use levels shall be checked for compliance for each flavoring compound in a formulation according to the target animals. Of particular importance for feed formulations are the specific restrictions on use of each flavoring compound and feed additive used in the premixture and/or compound feed, such as maximum and recommended levels, incompatibilities, contraindications, target species, etc.
The new re-authorizations also prescribe that if a feed formulation exceeds the recommended level of a flavoring compound, these should be indicated on labelling accordingly, including name of the functional group, identification number and name of the additive and the added amount of the active substance.
Additionally, feed formulations containing flavorings for which the re-authorization sets now a maximum permitted level should, by default, be labelled accordingly, as for any feed additive which is subject to a quantitative limitation when used in feed.
In conclusion, the new conditions of use set in the upcoming re-authorizations of feed flavoring additives, require that feed business operators carefully re-check their product formulations, labels and product data sheets to ensure compliance regarding:
- Label of the feed additive should indicate the “Recommended maximum content of the active substance of complete feeding stuffs with a moisture content of 12%”
- Content of flavoring compounds in a feed formulation according to recommended level described in the column “other provisions” of the annex entry of the authorizing regulation
- In case that the recommended level is exceeded, the name of the functional group, the name of the sensory additive, the identification number and the added amount of the chemically defined substance should be indicated on the labelling of the premixtures, feed materials and compound feed (including pet food).
- Feed flavoring compounds that are now subject to a maximum content in complete feed, shall be labelled by default and according to Articles 16 of Regulation (EC) 1831/2003 or of Regulation (EC) 767/2009 as applicable.
The transition periods foreseen for implementation of the new conditions of use and of labelling for each type of feed in the authorizations are:
- Aug. 6, 2017: for the additives and premixtures containing these additives.
- Feb. 6 2018: for compound feed and feed materials for food producing animals containing the additives
- Feb. 6 2019: for compound feed and feed materials for non-food producing animals containing the additives
