Industry still in the dark over future use of formaldehyde in feed

By Jane Byrne

- Last updated on GMT

© GettyImages
© GettyImages

Related tags European union

Deliberations continue in Brussels on whether the use of formaldehyde in feed, as part of a Salmonella control strategy, should be banned in the EU.

“Discussions are still ongoing, including within the animal nutrition section of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed (SCOPAFF), on a possible denial of authorization [of formaldehyde] as a feed additive, with a view to a vote before the end of the year,”​ a spokesperson for DG Santé, the European Commission’s unit for health and food safety, told this publication today.

Feed industry sources told us the waters, though, are very muddy regarding the formaldehyde file, citing reports that the Commission is looking to a denial of authorization on the one hand, while at the same time, considering attaching an exceptional use proviso.  

Regulatory background 

Formaldehyde has been used in feed to prevent the outbreak of Salmonella ​in poultry for the past 20 years.

Its use as a preservative in feed fell under the Biocidal Products Directive (98/8/EC) until September 2013, when the directive was replaced by the EU Biocidal Products Regulation 528/2012.

Thereafter, a transition period was established at EU level to allow formaldehyde to be authorized for microbiological decontamination under the auspices of feed additive regulations, and for the development of effective alternatives.

That transition period formally expired in July 2015, but the legal status for formaldehyde in feed within EU animal feed regulation has still not been agreed upon. The use of formaldehyde has continued in many EU markets in the interim, pending a final decision by the Commission on authorization.

The proposal to deny authorization, which the Commission first announced in December 2016, is based on workers safety concerns despite an EFSA opinion​ concluding the substance could be authorized as long as adequate control measures are implemented to limit the risks for those handling the product.

Polish developments 

Commentators argue that a hike in poultry related Salmonella​ events in Poland is a direct fall-out from inaction on the part of the Commission in relation to the chemical. In June 2016, the Polish Agricultural Ministry opted to cease the use of formaldehyde as a biocidal agent in treating feed, due to the regulatory uncertainty.

The number of reported Salmonella​ outbreaks in Europe traced back to Polish poultry and egg farms has risen significantly in 2017, according to a European Center for Disease Control and Prevention (ECDC) report​.

The EU Commission’s RASFF alert system for foodborne outbreaks from January to September 2017 recorded 26 alerts/43 notifications for Salmonella ​in poultry meat products originating in Poland, versus 18 alerts/44 notifications for the whole of 2016. 

Trade response

AVEC, the European poultry trade group, has not taken a position on the pending prohibition or otherwise of formaldehyde in the EU.

However, food safety and veterinary expert at Poland's National Poultry Association (Krajowa Rada Drobiarstwa), Aleksandra Porada, told our sister site, GlobalMeatNews​, in August that producers need a wide range of effective tools in order to prevent or control Salmonella​. “With strict prohibition for its users while adding to feed, we support allowing the use of formaldehyde as a feed additive.”

Other Polish agribusiness representatives such as the Feed and Grain Association (Izba Zbożowo-Paszowa) and the Farmers and Agricultural Organizations (Ogólnopolskie Porozumienie Związków Zawodowych) are also said to be pushing the Polish government to once again allow the use of formaldehyde in feed.

Formaldehyde producer, Anitox, which has hired consultancy, Red Flag, to lobby on its behalf on the formaldehyde regulation, talked to this publication​ about the issue last March. The company said the EU authorities had failed to take into account the most recent advice​ of the Scientific Committee on Occupational Exposure Limit (SCOEL), which evaluated worker risk from formaldehyde use. 

The company said it had asked the Commission to draft a 10-year authorization proposal for formaldehyde use in feed that referenced the SCOEL opinion and set the worker exposure levels recommended therein.  

Related topics Regulation Swine Poultry Europe Safety

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