EFSA identifies data gap in assessment of xylanase

21-Feb-2017 - Last updated on 21-Feb-2017 at 14:37 GMT

EFSA has found a xylanase is effective for use in pigs for fattening but insufficient evidence prevented it from ruling likewise on its efficacy in broilers and weaned piglets.

Berg + Schmidt sent the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) five trials on chickens for fattening, five studies on weaned piglets and three on pigs for fattening to support efficacy claims for its feed additive, BergazymP100, as a digestibility enhancer.

The xylanase is produced by a non-genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reesei.

The Authority concluded the German company’s additive has the potential to be efficacious in pigs for fattening at the recommended dose.

However, it said there was a need for additional studies in order for it to conclude on the efficacy of the xylanase in chickens for fattening and weaned piglets.

EFSA found the tolerance trials provided in chickens for fattening and weaned piglets showed the animals could tolerate 200- or 100-fold the recommended dose of 1,500 EPU/kg feed, respectively, so it concluded the additive is safe for these target species and categories.

The EU risk assessor said its findings for weaned piglets could be applied to pigs for fattening.

The full opinion can be read here.