Safety and efficacy of benzoic acid as a feed additive for pigs for fattening when used as acidity regulator and all animal species when used as flavouring

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of benzoic acid as a feed additive for pigs for fattening when used as a technological additive (acidity regulator) and for all animal species when used as a sensory additive (flavouring). The FEEDAP Panel reiterates its former conclusion that the use of benzoic acid at the maximum level of 125 mg/kg complete feed is safe for all animal species, but cannot conclude on the safety of benzoic for pigs for fattening at the proposed maximum use level (10,000 mg benzoic acid/kg complete feed). The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of benzoic acid as a feed additive at the proposed conditions of use is safe for the consumer. Benzoic acid is an irritant to skin and eyes, is not a skin sensitiser and may pose a risk to the users by inhalation. The use of benzoic acid in animal nutrition will not pose a risk for the environment. Since benzoic acid is authorised in food as flavouring and its function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy of benzoic acid as flavouring is necessary. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of benzoic acid when used as acidity regulator in feed.