Scientific Opinion on the safety of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a sensory additive for fish

In 2011, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a sensory additive for piglets, pigs for fattening, calves for rearing and fattening, lambs for rearing and fattening, dairy sheep, ewes for reproduction, salmonids and dogs. The Panel concluded that the additive was safe for target animals, consumers of animal products when used in mammals, users of the additive and the environment when used for the purpose described. However, owing to the lack of information on the absorption or metabolism of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone in fish, the FEEDAP Panel was unable to draw conclusions on the safety of the additive for the consumers when used in fish. The Commission gave the applicant the possibility of submitting complementary information to allow the FEEDAP Panel to reach conclusions on the safety of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone for the consumers when used as a feed additive for fish. The additional data provided are the subject of the current opinion. Based on the data provided on the metabolism of structurally related compounds in fish, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that neohesperidine dihydrochalcone will undergo equivalent routes of metabolism in all species, including fish. The use of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a feed additive in fish is not expected to result in increased consumer exposure. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that use of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a feed additive for fish is safe for the consumer. The use of neohesperidine dihydrochalcone as a feed additive in fish is considered safe for the environment