Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of iodine compounds (E2) as feed additives for all animal species: calcium iodate anhydrous, based on a dossier submitted by Calibre Europe SPRL/BVBA

Abstract

The use of calcium iodate anhydrous as a source of iodine is considered safe for all animal species/categories when used up to the currently authorised maximum content of total iodine in complete feed, with the exception of horses, cats and dogs, for which maximum tolerated levels are 3, 6 and 4 mg I/kg complete feed, respectively. Exposure of consumers was calculated in two scenarios applying the currently authorised maximum iodine contents in feed and reduced contents. The iodine content of food of animal origin, if produced taking account of the currently authorised maximum content of iodine in feed, would represent a substantial risk to high consumers. The risk would originate primarily from the consumption of milk and to a minor extent from consumption of eggs. The UL for adults (600 µg/day) would be exceeded by a factor of 2, and that for toddlers (200 µg/day) by a factor of 4. If the authorised maximum iodine concentrations in feed for dairy cows and laying hens were reduced to 2 and 3 mg I/kg feed, respectively, the exposure of adult consumers would be below the UL. However, iodine intake in high-consuming toddlers would remain above the UL (1.6-fold). In the absence of data, calcium iodate is considered as irritant to the eye, skin and respiratory tract, and a dermal sensitiser. The exposure by inhalation should be avoided. The use of calcium iodate in animal nutrition is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. Calcium iodate is an efficacious source of iodine to meet animal requirements. The FEEDAP Panel recommends that the maximum iodine contents in complete feed be reduced as follows: dairy cows and minor dairy ruminants, 2 mg I/kg; laying hens, 3 mg I/kg; horses, 3 mg I/kg; cats, 6 mg I/kg and dogs, 4 mg I/kg

Food safety hazards in the European seaweed chain

“…Description I is an essential trace mineral for both humans and animals. It plays a role in metabolism, namely, its incorporation into the thyroid hormones (thyroxine and triiodothyronine) and the precursors thereof (EFSA, 2010c(EFSA, , 2013. I occurs in nature as iodate and iodide, the latter of which is found in food and water (EFSA, 2014b).…”

Effect of low-dose blanched Saccharina latissima in finishing bulls’ diets on carcass and meat quality traits

“…However, a barrier to the use of intact S. latissima as a feed additive or constituent in ruminant diets is the high iodine content and the presence of inorganic arsenic in S. latissima (670 mg/kg-10,000 mg/kg DM and 0.03 mg/kg-0.67 mg/kg DM, respectively) (Hogstad et al, 2022) Hammer (2020 reported that a higher inclusion level (5% DM) of ensiled S. latissima in calves' diets for 15 days negatively affected growth, speculating that this was due to the negative effect of a high dose of iodine. The FEEDAP Panel recommends 2 mg I/kg feed as the maximum level of added calcium iodate anhydrous for dairyfarmed animals (Additives and Feed, 2013). Therefore, the primary focus for processing technology is reducing iodine and minimizing the arsenic content in S. latissima.…”

“…Limited knowledge exists on the use of the maximum allowable blanched seaweed content in animal feed, a limit determined by the maximum authorized iodine and total arsenic content in feed (Additives and Feed, 2013;EC, 2019) and its effect on the physicochemical and nutritive properties of meat. Therefore, the present study investigates the effects of supplementing finishing bulls' diets with the maximum allowable blanched S. latissima content (i.e., 0.8% DM) on carcass traits, meat quality, and mineral profile.…”