EU Discovers Safety Hazards in Camellia Seed Extract as Feed Additive!

On October 23, 2024, a piece of news from the European Union Food Safety Authority (EFSA) attracted a lot of attention. At the request of the European Commission, the EU Animal Feed Additives and Products (FEEDAP) Research Group conducted an in-depth study on the safety and effectiveness of Camellia oleifera C.Abel seed extract as a feed additive and published a scientific opinion. The study focused on all animals except finned fish.

After a detailed evaluation by a panel of experts, they concluded that camellia oil seed extract is safe as a feed additive for consumers and the environment under the recommended conditions of use. In addition, the additive has shown potential as an emulsifier during use. However, it is important to note that the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances Used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was unable to reach a definitive conclusion on the safety of oiltea seed extract of the target species due to the lack of adequate tolerance studies on the target species and toxicological studies on the additives being evaluated.

Nevertheless, based on the current study results, the use of this additive in animal nutrition is not expected to pose consumer safety concerns. However, it is important to note that this additive is considered to be irritating to the eyes and mucous membranes. As for whether it has the potential to irritate the skin or sensitize the skin, there is no clear conclusion. Under the recommended conditions of use, the use of the additive is considered safe for ground cabins. However, no definitive conclusions have been drawn regarding the environmental safety of the additive for use in aquatic animal feed other than finfish.

Taking these findings together, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that camellia oil seed extract has the potential to be an effective emulsifier as a feed additive if used under the recommended conditions of use. This conclusion provides a scientific basis for the future use of camellia seed extract in animal feed, and also provides a new idea for the development of related industries.