Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (taiga root tincture) for use in dogs, cats and horses (FEFANA asbl)

• Published in: EFSA Journal
• Main Authors: Vasileios Bampidis, Giovanna Azimonti, Maria de Lourdes Bastos, Henrik Christensen, Mojca Durjava, Maryline Kouba, Marta López‐Alonso, Secundino López Puente, Francesca Marcon, Baltasar Mayo, Alena Pechová, Mariana Petkova, Fernando Ramos, Yolanda Sanz, Roberto Edoardo Villa, Ruud Woutersen, Paul Brantom, Andrew Chesson, Johannes Westendorf, Paola Manini, Fabiola Pizzo, Birgit Dusemund
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2023
• Subjects: sensory additives; flavouring compounds; Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim; taiga root tincture; eleutheroside E; eleutheroside B; Nutrition. Foods and food supply; TX341-641; Chemical technology; TP1-1185; taiga
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.2903/j.efsa.2023.7876; https://doaj.org/article/5a650890a9ea414ba787b2edfb838155

Abstract Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the roots of Eleutherococcus senticosus (Rupr. & Maxim.) Maxim. (taiga root tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed for dogs, cats and horses. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive is safe for dogs, cats and horses at the maximum proposed use level of 460.7, 489.5 and 140.7 mg/kg complete feed, respectively. The additive was considered safe for consumers when used at the proposed conditions of use in horses for meat production. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. The use of the taiga root tincture as a flavour in feed for horses was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the root of E. senticosus has flavouring properties and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is considered necessary for the tincture under assessment.