Authorisation of types of orange essential oil as feed additives for animal food production
On 22 August 2022, the European Commission adopted Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1421, concerning the use of orange essential oils from Citrus sinensis (L.) in animal feed.
Expressed, distilled, and folded essential oils from these sweet oranges were authorized as feed additives for all animals and annexed into Regulation (EC) 1831/2003. At the request of the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) published a scientific opinion regarding orange essential oils. It was determined that such was safe for consumption within proposed maximum levels, though whether there were adverse effects on cats, dogs, ornamental fish, and ornamental birds could not be concluded.
However, as the role of the additive would be the same in feed as it is in food, and orange essential oils are recognized as a food flavor additive, neither FEEDAP nor the Commission determined further efficacy tests necessary. Furthermore, risks of eye, skin, or respiratory irritation are present if these oils are directly interacted with.
Despite all this, the Commission decided that these orange essential oils meet the requirements in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) 1831/2003, which are as follows:
- have no negative effects on animals, humans, or the environment,
- favorably affect the product or the animal,
- satisfy the nutritional needs of animals, and
- not be an antibiotic. With Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1421, orange essential oils have been added to the additive category of “sensory additives” and the functional group “flavoring compounds” and can officially be used by producers to change the taste of animal feed.
