Evaluating the Effectiveness of Ferrous Lysinate Sulfate as an Animal Feed Additive: Insights from the EU Assessment

In a recent development, the European Union (EU) has undertaken an assessment to evaluate the effectiveness of ferrous lysinate sulfate as an animal feed additive. This evaluation was carried out by the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) in response to a request from the European Commission. The findings of this assessment shed light on the efficacy of ferrous lysinate sulfate and its potential applications in animal nutrition.

The European Union's FEEDAP research group has released its scientific opinion on the efficacy of ferrous lysinate sulfate as an animal feed additive. Ferrous lysinate sulfate, also known as Plexomin® L-Fe, was subject to a comprehensive evaluation to determine its effectiveness across various animal species.

While the safety of the additive for the target species, consumers, users, and the environment had been previously assessed, the FEEDAP panel encountered challenges in establishing its efficacy. Insufficient data on the bioavailability of the iron contained in the additive hindered the conclusive assessment of its efficacy in trials involving chickens for fattening and weaned piglets.

The evaluation report highlighted that the applicant had submitted a recalculation of previous data on weaned piglets. However, this recalculated data failed to provide evidence of bioavailability. Consequently, in the absence of adequate data, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to draw definitive conclusions regarding the efficacy of ferrous lysinate sulfate as an animal feed additive for all animal species.

The EU's assessment emphasizes the importance of robust scientific evidence to support the efficacy claims of feed additives. While the safety aspects of ferrous lysinate sulfate have been evaluated, further research and data are necessary to determine its effectiveness across different animal species.

The evaluation conducted by the EU's FEEDAP research group regarding the effectiveness of ferrous lysinate sulfate as an animal feed additive has highlighted the need for additional data. Although the safety of the additive has been assessed, the absence of sufficient evidence related to its bioavailability precluded a conclusive determination of its efficacy for all animal species. This assessment underscores the significance of rigorous scientific research and data in evaluating the effectiveness of feed additives, ultimately ensuring the safety and nutritional quality of animal feed formulations. Further studies in this area will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the potential benefits and applications of ferrous lysinate sulfate in animal nutrition.