Safety and efficacy of 25‐hydroxycholecalciferol as a feed additive for poultry and pigs

Following a request from European Commission, the 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 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (E 670 a) as feed additive for poultry and pigs. This additive is already authorised for use without a time limit in chickens for fattening, turkeys and laying hens. The applicant is now asking for a re-evaluation of the existing authorisation and for an extension of the authorisation to all poultry and pigs. The additive ROVIMIX Hy•D 1.25% contains 12.5 g 25-OH-D3 kg as active substance, which is a physiological precursor of the vitamin D3 active hormone. 25-OH-D3 from ROVIMIX Hy•D 1.25% is efficacious in all poultry species and pig categories when substituting for vitamin D3 in feed. ROVIMIX Hy•D 1.25% is considered safe for the target animals at maximum contents of 0.100 mg 25-OH-D3 kg complete feed for chickens and turkeys for fattening, of 0.080 mg 25OH-D3 kg complete feed for all other poultry species and of 0.050 mg 25-OH-D3 kg for all pig categories.