EU Assesses Safety and Effectiveness of Methyl Salinomycin as a Feed Additive for Fattening Chickens

The European Union (EU) has recently conducted an evaluation on the safety and effectiveness of methyl salinomycin as a feed additive for fattening chickens. In response to a request from the European Commission, the EU Panel on Feed Additives and Products (FEEDAP) research group has provided a scientific opinion on this matter. The assessment aimed to determine the impact of using methyl salinomycin as a feed additive on the health and growth of fattening chickens.

Evaluation Findings:

After careful evaluation, the expert panel concluded that the use of methyl salinomycin as a feed additive at a concentration of 60 milligrams per kilogram of complete feed effectively controls coccidiosis, a parasitic disease, in fattening chickens. The safety concerns related to the production strain of the additive were addressed by substituting the production strain from Streptomyces spp. NRRL 8092 to Streptomyces spp. NRRL B-67771. The panel found no safety issues for the target animal, consumer, user, or environment when using the modified production strain.

Furthermore, the evaluation indicated that the use of 70 milligrams of narasin (the active substance in methyl salinomycin) per kilogram of complete feed was considered safe for fattening chickens, with a safety margin of 1.4. The additive was unlikely to increase the shedding of Salmonella Enteritidis, Salmonella Typhimurium, and Campylobacter jejuni. Regarding environmental risks, no adverse effects on groundwater or secondary poisoning through the terrestrial food chain were expected. However, some potential risks to the aquatic compartment and sediment could not be excluded.

Based on the assessment conducted by the EU Panel on Feed Additives and Products, it has been determined that methyl salinomycin can be safely and effectively used as a feed additive for fattening chickens. The recommended concentration of 60 milligrams per kilogram of complete feed is effective in controlling coccidiosis in chickens without posing significant safety concerns for the target animal, consumer, user, and environment. It is important for stakeholders in the poultry industry to adhere to the recommended guidelines for the appropriate and responsible use of methyl salinomycin as a feed additive.