Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 as a silage additive for all animal species (EM‐Agriton B.V.)

TL;DR

This paper evaluates the safety and effectiveness of a feed additive containing two microorganisms for improving silage quality in animal feed.

Contribution

The study confirms the safety and efficacy of using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus as a silage additive for all animal species.

Findings

The additive is safe for animals, consumers, and the environment.

It can improve silage production and fermentation quality for plant material with 31-51% dry matter.

Inhalation and dermal exposure are identified as potential risks for users.

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the additive consisting of Saccharomyces cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus NBRC 3425 when used as a technological additive to improve ensiling of all fresh plant material for all animal species at a proposed minimum concentration of 4.0 × 102 and 3.2 × 106 colony forming units (CFU)/kg fresh plant material, respectively. The bacterial species S. cerevisiae and L. rhamnosus are considered by EFSA to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety approach to safety assessment. The identity of the strains was established, the absence of resistance to antimycotics was confirmed for S. cerevisiae and no acquired antimicrobial resistance genes were detected in L. rhamnosus. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of both strains as a silage additive is considered safe for all the animal species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, inhalation and dermal exposure are considered a risk. No conclusions can be drawn on the eye irritancy potential of the additive. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive at a minimum level of 4.0 × 102
S. cerevisiae NBRC 0203 and 3.2 × 106
L. rhamnosus NBRC 3425 CFU/kg fresh plant material has the potential to improve the production and fermentation quality of silage made from easy and moderately difficult to ensile fresh plant material, with dry matter (DM) content ranging from 31% to 51%.