Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of sodium benzoate as a silage additive for pigs, poultry, bovines, ovines, goats, rabbits and horses

Sodium benzoate is intended for use as a technological additive to improve the ensiling process at a proposed dose of 2 400 mg/kg fresh matter, the eventual use of the silage being for pigs, poultry, bovines, ovines, goats, rabbits and horses. The application of sodium benzoate in the preparation of silage at the proposed dose was safe for the target animals. The proposed maximum dose of sodium benzoate is estimated to result in a comparable consumer exposure as does its use as preservative in other feedingstuffs and to make a minimal contribution to consumer exposure. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that sodium benzoate when used as a silage additive is safe for the consumer. Sodium benzoate is not considered as a skin irritant but may be mildly irritant to the eyes. As no data on sensitisation appear to be available, the FEEDAP Panel considered it prudent to treat sodium benzoate as a potential sensitiser. In the absence of information on particle size and dusting potential, a risk from inhalation cannot be excluded. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that there are no safety concerns for the environment resulting from the use of sodium benzoate as a silage additive. Based on a series of laboratory studies, sodium benzoate at the recommended dose was shown to have the potential to improve the production of silage by reducing pH and increasing the preservation of dry matter. This was demonstrated in a range of easy, moderately difficult and difficult to ensile forage materials. Sodium benzoate at concentrations between 250 and 2 500 mg/kg forage also has the potential to increase the aerobic stability of ensiled materials at a wide range of dry matter content.