Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of L-carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate as feed additives for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by Lonza Benelux BV

L-Carnitine has a key role in the metabolism of fatty acids as a „substrate‟ for the reversible acetylation of coenzyme A and as a carrier for the transport of long-chain fatty acids from cytosol across the inner mitochondrial membrane. L-Carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate administered via feed or water for drinking are considered safe for the target species. The additives appear to have a wide margin of safety (> 10) at the levels typically used in feed (10–50 mg/kg feed). Very little information is available on the toxicology of L-carnitine. Nevertheless, based on residue data obtained from multi-fold doses of the typical use levels, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that typical supplementation of feed with L-carnitine or L-carnitine L-tartrate would not substantially increase human exposure to carnitine from food of animal origin. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of L-carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate as additives in animal nutrition is safe for the consumer. L-Carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate are not irritant to skin and eyes nor are they skin sensitisers. L-Carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate showed limited dust formation. As inhalation toxicity studies were not available, adverse effects in the respiratory tract cannot be fully excluded. The use of L-carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate in animal nutrition is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. L-Carnitine and L-carnitine L-tartrate are regarded as an effective source of L-carnitine in all animal species.