Eu evaluates the safety and effectiveness of ferulic oil as a feed additive for dogs and cats

21 December 2022 - At the request of the European Commission, the Animal Feed Additives and Products (FEEDAP) study Group has been asked to give a scientific opinion on the safety of asafoetida oil asa feed additive for dogs and cats, according to the European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

After evaluation, the panel concluded that the additive is safe for dogs at a level of 1.5 mg/kg full-priced feed and for cats at a level of 0.2 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 gum resin of Ferula assa-foetida L. (asafoetida 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 the use of asafoetida oil is safe at the proposed conditions of use of 1.5mg /kg complete feed for dogs and 0.2 mg/kg complete feed for cats. The additive under assessment should be. Use of 1.5mg /kg complete feed for dogs and 0.2 mg/kg complete feed for cats. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since F. assa-foetida 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.