EU Assesses Authorization Renewal Application for Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 as a Feed Additive for Fattening Rabbits and Non-Food Producing Rabbits

On July 25, 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an important announcement on a comprehensive and detailed assessment of the application for renewal of the authorisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 (trade name Actisaf® Sc 47) as a feed additive for fattening and non-food produced rabbits. This assessment not only demonstrates the EU's high regard for food safety and animal health, but also demonstrates its professionalism and rigor in the field of feed additive regulation.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407, as a feed additive, has been widely used in animal husbandry. With its unique nutritional value and physiological regulation function, it has remarkable effects on improving animal intestinal health and promoting growth. Therefore, the renewal of the authorization of this additive is not only related to the sustainable development of the livestock industry, but also directly affects the quality and safety of rabbit meat and related products on the European market.

During the assessment process, EFSA's panel of experts critically reviewed the extensive data and information submitted by the applicant. Such information includes, but is not limited to, the chemical composition of additives, production processes, quality control standards, safety assessment reports, and market applications. After in-depth analysis and discussion, the expert panel reached the following conclusions:

1. Safety assessment: Under authorized conditions of use, Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 is safe for target species (i.e. fattening and non-food production rabbits). This conclusion is based on a large number of experimental studies and practical application data to ensure that the additive does not cause any adverse effects on the health of animals. At the same time, the expert panel also noted that the safety of the additive in the consumer and the environment has been fully verified, in accordance with the relevant regulations and standards of the European Union.

2. Potential Risks: Although Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 is safe in most cases, the panel also cautioned that the additive should be considered a potential skin and respiratory sensitizer. This means that appropriate protective measures need to be taken during production and use to avoid possible risks arising from contact through the skin and respiratory tract.

3. Efficacy assessment: It is worth noting that as the authorization renewal request does not include a proposal to modify or supplement the original authorization conditions, and these conditions have been rigorously evaluated before and are considered valid, this evaluation does not repeat the efficacy assessment of the additives. However, EFSA stresses that this does not mean that efficacy assessment is no longer important; On the contrary, with the continuous development of science and technology and the emergence of new research results, the efficacy of additives may be more in-depth research and evaluation in the future.

This assessment by EFSA provides an important basis for the European Commission to renew the authorisation of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CNCM I-4407 as a feed additive. It is foreseeable that if the mandate is renewed, the additive will continue to play an important role in the livestock industry, bringing greater economic and social benefits to the rabbit meat industry in Europe and globally. At the same time, we also look forward to more scientific research and technological innovation applied to the field of feed additives in the future, contributing more wisdom and strength to the sustainable development of animal husbandry.