Scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of L‐tyrosine for all animal species

L‐Tyrosine can be synthesised in the body from L‐phenylalanine, an essential amino acid. The additive L‐tyrosine is produced by acid hydrolysis of feather keratin. L‐Tyrosine is considered safe for all animal species, provided that the conditions of use are respected, i.e. supplementation of conventional diets with 0.5 % L‐tyrosine for food‐producing animals and 1.5 % for non‐food‐producing species. Higher dietary concentrations may lead to growth rate depression and eye lesions, and, in young animals, behavioural changes. L‐Tyrosine will be incorporated into the body protein of the animal. The protein composition will not be changed. Free L‐tyrosine will not be stored in the tissues. On the basis of the data available, no risk is expected for the consumer from the use of this L‐tyrosine preparation showing a purity > 95 %. In the absence of data, the product is considered potentially irritating to skin and eyes, a potential dermal sensitiser and hazardous by inhalation. The use of L‐tyrosine in animal nutrition would not be expected to lead to any localised increase in the concentration of L‐tyrosine or its metabolites in the environment. It is concluded that the use of this product as a feed additive does not represent a risk to the environment. The supplementation of feed with L‐tyrosine is efficacious in cases where high requirements for tyrosine as a melanin precursor occur. This has been demonstrated in cats for intensively colouring the coat. L‐Tyrosine may also have the potential to intensify the pigmentation of the coat/plumage of other species, but limited evidence is available.