Scientific Opinion on safety and efficacy of CRINA® Poultry Plus (preparation of benzoic acid and essential oil compounds) as feed additive for chickens for fattening

CRINA® Poultry Plus (CPP) is a feed additive consisting on seven active substances: benzoic acid (83 %), thymol (1.9 %), eugenol (1 %), benzylsalicylate (0.3 %), piperine (0.1 %), isoamylsalicylate (0.1 %) and trans-anethole (0.1 %). It is intended to be used as a zootechnical additive in complete feed for chickens for fattening (300-450 mg CPP/kg feed) to favourably affect their performance. Given the inconsistency of the data and the suggestion of adverse effects, albeit not dose-related, the FEEDAP Panel is unable to conclude on the safety of the additive at the dose range proposed. None of the components of CPP are genotoxic and in vitro assays made with the additive gave no indication of a genotoxic potential. No metabolism/residue data are available for eugenol and piperine in chickens for fattening. Consequently, the FEEDAP Panel cannot draw any final conclusion on the safety for the consumer of CPP used as feed additive in chickens for fattening. CPP should be considered as irritant for the skin and eyes, as well as skin sensitiser; no adverse effects upon inhalation are to be expected. In the absence of data on the environmental fate of piperine, isoamylsalicylate and benzylsalicylate, or the additive itself, the safety for the environment cannot be assessed. A significant effect relative to performance was shown in only one of the eight studies taken for the demonstration of efficacy. There is insufficient evidence that CPP at the recommended dose can improve the zootechnical performance of chickens. The sensory properties of the meat from chickens fed CPP are not affected.