Scientific opinion on the efficacy and safety of Quantum® Blue (6-phytase) as a feed additive for poultry (except laying hens) and pigs

Quantum® Blue is an enzyme preparation (solid and liquid forms) of 6-phytase, produced by a genetically modified strain of Trichoderma reesei. The additive is to be used as a feed additive for chickens for fattening/reared for laying, turkeys for fattening/reared for breeding, minor poultry species for fattening and breeding, piglets (weaned), pigs for fattening and sows. Neither the production organism nor recombinant DNA was detected in the final product. The final product does not raise a safety concern with regard to the genetic modification. The results from tolerance studies in chickens and turkeys for fattening, piglets and sows permit to conclude that the additive is safe for those target species at the corresponding maximum recommended dose. The conclusions can be extended to chickens reared for laying and turkeys reared for breeding and to pigs for fattening and can be extrapolated to minor poultry species for fattening or reared for laying/breeding. Based on the results of toxicological studies performed with the fermentation product, the Panel concludes that the additive is of no concern regarding consumer safety. The additive is not irritant to the skin or eyes and is not a skin sensitiser; however, taking account of its proteinaceous nature, the additive is to be considered a potential respiratory sensitiser. No risks to the environment are expected and no further environmental risk assessment is required. Based on the results of the efficacy trials provided, the Panel concludes that the additive has the potential to be efficacious at the dose of 250 phytase units (FTU)/kg feed in poultry species (except layers/breeders), pigs for fattening and sows and at the dose of 500 FTU/kg feed in weaned piglets.