Update of the Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of erythrosine in feed for cats, dogs, reptiles and ornamental fish

Erythrosine is a sensory additive belonging to the functional group colourants, namely “substances that add or restore colour in feedingstuffs”. Derived from a No Observed Adverse Effect Level determined in a 60-day rat study (30 mg erythrosine/kg body weight per day based on perturbation of thyroid function) and applying an uncertainty factor of 100, safe concentrations in complete feed are estimated to be 16 mg/kg for dogs, 13 mg/kg for cats and 59 mg/kg for ornamental fish. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) is not in a position to derive a safe concentration of erythrosine in feed for reptiles. Regarding the iodine content of erythrosine (56 %) and the limitation in the analytical determination of erythrosine in feed, the use of erythrosine in complete feed for dogs, cats and reptiles would be limited to a maximum of 18 mg/kg and for ornamental fish would be limited to 35 mg/kg feed to comply with the currently authorised maximum content of total iodine in complete feed. Erythrosine has the potential to add red colour to feedingstuffs, which was demonstrated in complementary feed at a range of 50 to 500 mg/kg.