Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of manganese compounds (E5) as feed additives for all animal species: manganous oxide, based on a dossier submitted by Poortershaven Industriële Mineralen B.V.

Manganese, an essential trace element, functions as an enzyme activator and is a constituent of several enzymes. Primary signs of manganese deficiency are impaired growth, skeletal abnormalities, depressed reproductive function, ataxia of the newborn and faults in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. Manganous oxide is a safe source of manganese for all animal species/categories, provided that the current maximum total contents of manganese authorised in feed are respected. Dietary manganese does not appear to cause any adverse effects in consumers at usual intake levels; manganese intake resulting from the consumption of tissues and products of animal origin is low compared with the intake resulting from the consumption of food of plant origin. No essential differences in the manganese deposition in edible tissues and products of animal origin are expected from the use of manganous oxide compared with other inorganic manganese sources. The use of manganous oxide in animal nutrition is of no concern for the safety of consumers, provided that the current maximum total contents of manganese authorised in feed are respected. Handling manganous oxide is hazardous by inhalation to the user/worker; in the absence of adequate data, the additive should be considered as a potential skin and eye irritant and as a dermal sensitiser. The use of manganous oxide in animal nutrition for all animal species is not of concern for the environment, provided that the current maximum total contents of manganese authorised in feed are respected. Manganous oxide is an efficacious source of manganese in meeting the animal requirements.