Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of phenyl ethyl alcohols, phenylacetic acids, related esters, phenoxyacetic acids and related esters (chemical group 15) when used as flavourings for all animal species

Chemical group 15 (CG 15) consists of phenyl ethyl alcohols, phenylacetic acids, related esters, phenoxyacetic acids and related esters, of which 18 are currently authorised for use as flavours in food. For all 18 compounds belonging to CG 15 the maximum safe concentration was calculated and rounded to be 1 mg/kg feed for poultry and pigs and 1.5 mg/kg feed for cattle, salmonids and non food-producing animals. Safe concentrations should be appropriately reduced if used in water for drinking. The absence of a margin of safety would not allow the simultaneous administration of the compounds under consideration in feed and water for drinking. No residues of safety concern derived from the compounds of CG 15 are expected in animal tissues or products when used up to 1–1.5 mg/kg feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered it prudent to treat all compounds under assessment as irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract, skin sensitiser and harmful if swallowed. At a concentration of 1–1.5 mg/kg complete feed, the compounds included in CG 15 are not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since all 18 compounds are used in food as flavourings, and their function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.