EFSA Confirms Safety and Efficacy of Star Anise Oil as Animal Feed Additive

On July 28, 2023, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) announced that its Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) has delivered a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of star anise oil as a sensory additive in feed and drinking water for all animal species. The expert panel found that the additive is safe for target species, consumers, and the environment under the recommended usage conditions. It was also determined that the efficacy of the additive does not need to be further demonstrated as it is recognized for flavoring food. The use of star anise oil in animal feed is not expected to pose any concerns for consumers and the environment. However, the additive should be handled with caution due to its irritant and sensitizing properties, as well as the potential for causing genetic defects and cancer.

Overall, the EFSA's opinion confirms the safety and efficacy of star anise oil as an animal feed additive for all species under recommended usage conditions.

"Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of star anise oil from the fruit (without or with the presence of plant leaves) of Illicium verum Hook.f., when used as a sensory additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. For long-living and reproductive animals, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) considered of low concern the use of the additive in complete feed at 0.6 mg/kg for laying hens and rabbits, 1.0 mg/kg for sows and dairy cows, 1.6 mg/kg for sheep/goats, horses and cats, 1.9 mg/kg for dogs and 6.5 mg/kg for ornamental fish. For short-living animals, the Panel had no safety concern when the additive is used at 83.3 mg/kg for veal calves, 73.3 mg/kg for sheep/goats, cattle for fattening and horses for meat production, 83.8 mg/kg for salmonids, 24.8 mg/kg for turkeys for fattening, 18.5 mg/kg chickens for fattening, 33.3 mg/kg for piglets, 40 mg/kg for pigs for fattening and 29.3 mg/kg for rabbits for meat production. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive was considered of low concern at 0.6 mg/kg. The use of star anise oil in animal feed is expected to be of no concern for consumers and for the environment. The additive under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Due to the high concentration of estragole (≥ 1%), the additive is classified as suspected of causing genetic defects and of causing cancer and should be handled accordingly. Since the fruit of I. verum and its preparations are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be the same, no further demonstration of efficacy was necessary."