EU Evaluates the Safety and Efficacy of a 6-Phytase Enzyme as a Feed Additive for Fin Fish

In a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has recently evaluated the safety and efficacy of a 6-phytase enzyme (Quantum® Blue) as a zootechnical feed additive for fin fish.

The 6-phytase enzyme is produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reesei. EFSA's Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the genetic modification of the production strain does not raise any safety concerns, as viable cells and DNA of the production strain were not detected in the final product.

According to the assessment, the FEEDAP Panel determined that the additive is safe for fin fish at the highest recommended level of 2500 phytase activity units (FTU) per kg of complete feed. While the 6-phytase is considered a respiratory sensitizer due to its proteinaceous nature, it was not found to be an irritant to skin or eyes, nor a skin sensitizer.

The Panel also concluded that the use of Quantum® Blue as a feed additive is safe for the environment. Furthermore, the additive was found to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive for salmonids and ornamental fish at 500 FTU/kg complete feed, and for other fin fish species at 2500 FTU/kg complete feed.