Open AccessSafety and efficacy of vermiculite as a feed additive for pigs, poultry, bovines, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses
Author(s) -
Bampidis Vasileios,
Azimonti Giovanna,
Bastos Maria de Lourdes,
Christensen Henrik,
Dusemund Birgit,
Kos Durjava Mojca,
Kouba Maryline,
LópezAlonso Marta,
López Puente Secundino,
Marcon Francesca,
Mayo Baltasar,
Pechová Alena,
Petkova Mariana,
Ramos Fernando,
Sanz Yolanda,
Villa Roberto Edoardo,
Woutersen Ruud,
Bories Georges,
Gropp Jürgen,
Nebbia Carlo,
Innocenti Matteo Lorenzo,
Aquilina Gabriele
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
efsa journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.076
H-Index - 97
ISSN - 1831-4732
DOI - 10.2903/j.efsa.2020.6160
Subject(s) - vermiculite , feed additive , animal feed , zoology , preservative , biology , veterinary medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , food science , broiler , medicine , horticulture
Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed ( FEEDAP ) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on vermiculite as a feed additive for pigs, poultry, bovines, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses. Vermiculite, which is a magnesium aluminium iron silicate, is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: binders and anticaking agents) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for pigs, poultry, bovines, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses, with no proposed minimum or maximum concentration. The applicant reported a maximum inclusion level, derived from the use of the additive in premixtures of preservatives, of about 50,000 mg/kg complete feed, and suggested typical inclusion levels in complete feedingstuffs below 10,000 mg/kg. The FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of vermiculite for the target species and the users. The additive is considered safe for the consumer and the environment at the proposed conditions of use. In the absence of data, the Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of vermiculite as a pellet binder or as an anticaking agent.