Eu evaluates the safety and efficacy of dill oil as a feed additive for dogs and cats

On 21 December 2022, according to the European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA), at the request of the European Commission, the Animal Feed Additives and Products (FEEDAP) research group was asked to give a scientific opinion on the safety of dill oil (an essential oil from the aerial parts of Anethum graveolens L.) as a feed additive for dogs and cats.

After evaluation, the panel concluded that the additive is safe for dogs at a level of 7 mg/kg full-priced feed and safe for cats at a level of 5 mg/kg full-priced feed. Since its function in feed is basically the same as that in food, further proof of its efficacy is not considered necessary. Some of the original reports are as follows:

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Anethum graveolens L. (dill herb oil), when used as a sensory additive (flavouring) in feed for dogs and cats. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that dill herb oil is safe at use levels in complete feed of 7 mg/kg for dogs and 5 mg/kg for cats. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since the aerial parts of A. graveolens and its preparations are recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.