EU Evaluates Safety and Efficacy of Caraway Oil as Animal Feed Additive

On July 31, 2024, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued a scientific statement with far-reaching implications, which was issued in response to a formal request from the European Commission. EFSA's Animal Feed Additives and Products (FEEDAP) research group has provided authoritative scientific insights into the safety and effectiveness of caraway oil as a widely used animal feed additive, both within and outside the industry.

Caraway oil, a natural essence derived from ancient herbs, has long attracted attention for its unique aroma and medicinal value. In EFSA's exhaustive assessment, the panel not only confirmed that it is safe for consumers and the environment under the recommended conditions of use, but also provided an in-depth analysis of its specific mechanisms of action in feed. According to the research, the application of caraway seed and its preparation in feed is highly similar to the function of flavor enhancer in food, and can effectively improve the flavor quality of products. Therefore, the expert panel did not need to verify its additional efficacy in feed, and directly recognized its legitimacy and rationality as a feed additive.

To ensure the safe and effective use of caraway oil in different animal species, EFSA's expert panel has developed detailed recommendations for maximum use. For broilers, the recommended amount is 9 mg of caraway oil per kg of feed; For laying hens, it is recommended to increase to 13 mg/kg. In addition, for other common livestock and poultry species, such as piglets (16 mg/kg), fat pigs (19 mg/kg), sows (24 mg/kg), calves (35 mg/kg when used as milk substitutes), beef cattle (11 mg/kg), dairy cows (10 mg/kg) and sheep, goats, horses and rabbits (all 10 mg/kg), The specific suggestions of adding quantity are given. It is worth mentioning that these conclusions are also considered to be applicable to other physiologically related species, further demonstrating the wide applicability and rigor of EFSA research.

However, although caraway oil shows many advantages in the field of feed, its potential irritant risks can not be ignored. According to the EFSA expert panel, caraway oil may cause certain irritation to the human skin and eyes, and may induce respiratory and skin allergic reactions. Therefore, strict safety measures must be taken during use to minimize the risk of human contact. This includes, but is not limited to, strengthening the use of personal protective equipment, improving ventilation conditions in the operating environment, and developing detailed emergency response plans.

In addition, it is important to note that for cats, ornamental fish and other specific species, EFSA's expert panel is unable to draw firm conclusions due to the lack of sufficient research data. This not only reflects the rigorous attitude and responsible spirit of scientific research, but also provides useful inspiration and guidance for the future research direction.

EFSA's evaluation report on the safety and effectiveness of caraway oil as an animal feed additive not only provides valuable scientific basis and guidance recommendations for the industry and beyond, but also further promotes the in-depth research and development in the field of food safety and animal health. We have reason to believe that in the future with the continuous progress of science and technology and the continuous improvement of people's cognitive level, caraway oil, an ancient and magical herbal essence, will bloom more brilliant light in more fields.