# Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the flowering aerial parts of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (rosemary oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the safety and effectiveness of rosemary oil as a feed additive for all animal species, finding it safe at specified concentrations.

## Contribution

The paper provides a comprehensive safety assessment of rosemary oil as a feed additive across multiple animal species.

## Key findings

- Rosemary oil is safe for use in feed at specified concentrations for various animal species.
- Methyleugenol and estragole were detected in some batches but did not pose safety concerns at recommended levels.
- The additive is considered an irritant and sensitiser, requiring precautions to minimize user exposure.

## Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil from the flowering aerial parts of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (rosemary oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. Methyleugenol (< 0.039%) and estragole (< 0.027%) were detected in some batches of the additive. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the use of rosemary oil is very unlikely to induce adverse effects in long‐living and reproductive animals and is of no safety concern for species for fattening at the following concentrations in complete feed: 18 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, 20.8 mg/kg for laying hens, turkeys for fattening, pigs for fattening, piglets, sows, veal calves (milk replacer), cattle for fattening, sheep/goats, horses, dairy cows, rabbits, salmonids and dogs, 500 mg/kg for ornamental fish and 14.1 mg/kg for cats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related species. For any other species, the additive is very unlikely to induce adverse effects at 14.1 mg/kg complete feed. No concerns for consumers and the environment were identified following the use of the additive up to the maximum proposed use level in feed. Regarding user safety, the essential oil under assessment should be considered as an irritant to skin and eyes and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the additive, exposure of unprotected users to methyleugenol and estragole may occur. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. Since the leaves of S. rosmarinus are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.