Safety and efficacy of 4‐phenylbut‐3‐en‐2‐one and benzophenone belonging to chemical group 21 when used as flavouring compounds for all animal species

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of 4‐phenylbut‐3‐en‐2‐one [07.024] and benzophenone [07.032] belonging to chemical group 21, when used as feed flavourings for all animal species. They are currently authorised for use as flavours in food. The use of 4‐phenyl‐3‐butene‐2‐one [07.024] is safe at the proposed normal use levels of 1 mg/kg complete feed for all animal species. Benzophenone [07.032] is safe at the proposed normal use levels of 1 mg/kg complete feed for all animal species except chicken for fattening, laying hens and piglets, for which the calculated safe concentration in feed is 0.5 mg/kg. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of 4‐phenyl‐3‐butene‐2‐one [07.024] and benzophenone [07.032] as feed flavourings. In the absence of studies to assess the safety for the user, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the safety for users when handling the additives. The use of 4‐phenyl‐3‐butene‐2‐one [07.024] and benzophenone [07.032] in animal feed at the maximum safe use level in feed is also considered safe for the environment. Since the compounds under assessment are used in food as flavourings and their function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary.

Safety of 27 flavouring compounds providing a milky‐vanilla flavour and belonging to different chemical groups for use as feed additives in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

“…In previous opinions of the FEEDAP Panel (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2012a , b , c , 2013 , 2015, 2016a , b , 2020a , b ), the 27 additives under assessment were fully characterised and evaluated for their safety and efficacy as flavouring substances. For all compounds, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety for target animals at the maximum use level proposed by the applicant.…”

“…This application covers 27 compounds under assessment, belonging to several chemical groups (CGs), namely CG 1, 3, 5, 9, 14, 21, 23 and 26, when used as feed flavourings for all animal species which were assessed by the FEEDAP Panel (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2012a , b , c , 2013 , 2015 , 2016a , b , 2020a , b ).…”

Safety of 37 feed additives consisting of flavouring compounds belonging to different chemical groups for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

“…In previous opinions of the FEEDAP Panel (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2012a , b , c , 2013 , 2016a , b , 2019a , b , 2020a , b ), the 37 additives under assessment were fully characterised, with the exception of ethyl oleate [09.192], and evaluated for their safety and efficacy as flavouring substances. Ethyl oleate was excluded from further assessment.…”

“…For 26 compounds belonging to CGs 03, 05, 08, 21 and 31, no studies to assess the safety for the user were submitted for previous assessments. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety for the users when handling the additive at that time (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2016b , 2019a , b , 2020a , b ).…”

“…Regarding the safety for the user, in its previous assessments, for 26 compounds, namely nona‐2,6‐dien‐1‐ol [02.049], pent‐2‐en‐1‐ol [02.050], trans‐2,cis‐6 nonadien‐1‐ol [02.231], 2‐dodecenal [05.037], nona‐2(trans),6(cis)‐dienal [05.058], nona‐2,4‐dienal [05.071], trans‐2‐nonenal [05.072], 2,4‐decadienal [05.081], hepta‐2,4‐dienal [05.084], deca‐2(trans),4(trans)‐dienal [05.140], dodec‐2(trans)‐enal [05.144], hept‐2(trans)‐enal [05.150], non‐2‐enal [05.171], nona‐2(trans),6(trans)‐dienal [05.172], undec‐2(trans)‐enal [05.184], trans‐2‐octenal [05.190], trans‐2‐decenal [05.191], trans‐2, tr‐4‐nonadienal [05.194], trans‐2, tr‐4‐undecadienal [05.196], hex‐2(trans)‐enyl acetate [09.394], hex‐2‐enyl butyrate [09.396], isopulegol [02.067], oct‐1‐en‐3‐one [07.081], benzophenone [07.032], myrcene [01.008] and β‐ocimene [01.018], in the absence of studies to assess the safety for the user, the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety for the users when handling the additives (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2016b , 2019a , b , 2020a , b ).…”