Safety and efficacy of Calsporin® (Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544) for all poultry species

Abstract

The additive Calsporin® is a preparation of viable spores of Bacillus subtilis DSM 15544, at a minimum declared concentration of 1 × 1010 colony forming units (CFU)/g additive. The additive is authorised as a zootechnical additive (functional group: gut flora stabiliser) for use in chickens for fattening, weaned piglets, chickens reared for laying, turkeys, minor avian species and other ornamental and game birds, laying hens and ornamental fish, dogs, in sows and in suckling piglets. This opinion concerns a request for a modification of the terms of the authorisation, reducing the minimum content in complete feed for chickens for fattening from the authorised concentration of 5 × 108 CFU/kg feed to a concentration of 3 × 108 CFU/kg feed and for an authorisation for the use of the additive for all poultry species. The active agent fulfils the requirements of the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to the assessment of safety and no concerns are expected from other components of the additive. Consequently, Calsporin® is considered safe for the target animals, the consumers and for the environment. The additive is not a dermal/eye irritant or a skin sensitiser but should be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. The additive has the potential to be efficacious as a zootechnical additive in feedingstuffs for chickens for fattening at the level of 3 × 108 CFU/kg complete feed. Considering that efficacy at the same level has been shown in laying hens and turkeys, this conclusion is extrapolated to all poultry species and categories.

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544 (Calsporin®) for dairy cows and other dairy ruminants (Asahi Biocycle Co. Ltd.)

“…The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued several opinions on the safety and efficacy of Calsporin ® as a feed additive for different species: chickens for fattening (EFSA, 2006 , 2007a ; EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2018a ), weaned piglets (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2010a , 2020 ), turkeys for fattening, ducks, geese, pigeons and other game birds for meat production, ducks, geese, pigeons, game birds, ornamental and sporting birds for rearing to point of lay, turkeys reared for breeding and chickens reared for laying (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2010b ), laying hens and avian species for laying (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2015a ), ornamental fish (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2015b ), sows and suckling piglets (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2017a ), dogs (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2017b ), pigs for fattening (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2018b ), all poultry species (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2019a ) and for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening, sows in order to have benefit in piglets, ornamental fish, dogs and all avian species (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2021 ).…”

Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Bacillus velezensis DSM 15544 (Calsporin®) for piglets (suckling and weaned), pigs for fattening, sows in order to have benefit in piglets, ornamental fish, dogs and all avian species (Asahi Biocycle Co.)

“…EFSA has issued several opinions on the safety and efficacy of Calsporin ® as a feed additive for different species: chickens for fattening (EFSA, 2006 , 2007a ; EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2018a ), weaned piglets (EFSA FEEDAP panel, 2010a, 2020 ), turkeys for fattening, ducks, geese, pigeons and other game birds for meat production, ducks, geese, pigeons, game birds, ornamental and sporting birds for rearing to point of lay, turkeys reared for breeding and chickens reared for laying (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2010b), laying hens and avian species for laying (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2015a ), ornamental fish (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2015b ), sows and suckling piglets (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2017a ), dogs (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2017b ), pigs for fattening (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2018b ) and all poultry species (EFSA FEEDAP Panel, 2019 ).…”