From Ancient Volcanoes to Modern Feed Mills: EFSA Validates Volcanic Zeolite as Safe and Effective Feed Additive

Deep beneath layers of geological time—and now inside European feed bins—lies a mineral with a fiery origin and a quiet utility: clinoptilolite of volcanic origin. On December 11, 2025, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) delivered a pivotal scientific opinion affirming that this naturally occurring zeolite is not only safe for use in feed for key terrestrial animals, but also effective as a pellet binder and anti-caking agent—a dual endorsement that bridges earth science and agricultural innovation.

Requested by the European Commission, the assessment by EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) examined the safety and efficacy of clinoptilolite—a microporous aluminosilicate formed from volcanic ash reacting with alkaline groundwater over millennia. Today, it’s prized in animal nutrition not for its nutrients, but for its physical functionality: improving feed texture, preventing clumping, and ensuring pellets hold their shape during transport and storage.

The panel concluded that when used at up to 20,000 mg per kilogram of complete feed, clinoptilolite is safe for poultry raised for fattening or breeding, ornamental birds, piglets (both suckling and weaned), and fattening pigs. For these categories—representing a significant share of Europe’s livestock sector—the green light is clear. However, EFSA noted that insufficient data prevented a safety conclusion for other terrestrial species, such as ruminants or rabbits, urging caution and further study before broader application.

Crucially, the additive poses no risk to consumers who eat meat, eggs, or dairy from animals fed clinoptilolite-containing diets, nor does it threaten the environment through manure or runoff. This environmental neutrality stems from clinoptilolite’s inert nature—it passes through the digestive tract unchanged and doesn’t bioaccumulate.

But while safe for animals and ecosystems, the mineral isn’t harmless to humans handling it in concentrated form. The FEEDAP Panel flagged that although it is not irritating to skin or eyes, it should be considered a dermal and respiratory sensitizer. Exposure via inhalation or skin contact is deemed a risk—a reminder that even natural minerals demand occupational safeguards in feed manufacturing settings. Proper ventilation, protective gear, and dust control are essential to protect workers.

On efficacy, the verdict was unequivocal: clinoptilolite works as intended. Its porous structure and surface properties help bind fine particles into durable pellets and prevent feed from hardening in humid conditions—critical for maintaining feed quality, reducing waste, and ensuring consistent nutrient delivery.

This approval underscores a growing reliance on geologically derived, non-synthetic additives in sustainable animal production. Unlike chemically engineered alternatives, volcanic clinoptilolite is abundant, stable, and functionally robust—offering a “clean-label” solution for an industry under pressure to reduce artificial inputs.

In essence, EFSA’s opinion transforms an ancient volcanic relic into a modern agri-tech asset—not by altering biology, but by enhancing logistics. As feed mills across Europe continue optimizing efficiency and sustainability, they may find that sometimes, the best innovations aren’t invented—they’re excavated.