The audience discussed the state of play of the assessment of feed flavourings. The absence of analogy with the evaluation of food flavourings, the complexity of the safety evaluation of the chemically defined substances and the botanical extracts when used in animal nutrition for both livestock and pets have been highlighted.
On the occasion of the symposium, FFAC also confirmed its earlier communication that the final list of substances to be supported for authorisation is due to be restricted to focus resources on substances of key business interest. Following an internal FFAC consultation which took place in the last few months, it has been anticipated that more than 100 feed flavourings may drop off from FFAC support.
Only FFAC members have direct access to the list of substances of interest and to the extensive information collected over the years about the 850+ substances submitted in 2010. In that sense, FFAC is a unique platform for modern feed flavouring operators. The cost sharing pattern among the FFAC members has been pointed as a key success factor for the sustainability of this consortium, enabling manufacturers to balance the budget required to support the authorisation of such extensive set of substances. For these reasons, FFAC invited once again all interested companies to join the re-authorisation efforts. Cooperating with FFAC is the only affordable way to make sure that flavouring substances, crucial to businesses, will not be withdrawn from the market and will be authorised for use in the relevant target species and with appropriate use levels.
