Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of aromatic ethers including anisole derivatives (chemical group 26) when used as feed additives for all animal species

Chemical group 26 (CG 26) consists of aromatic ethers including anisole derivatives, of which eight are currently authorised for use as flavours in food. These flavouring compounds, excluding 2-methoxyethyl benzene and 2-methoxynaphthalene, were calculated to be safe for all animal species at the proposed use level of 1 mg/kg complete feed. Two compounds, 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(prop-1-enyl)-benzene and 1-methoxy-4- methylbenzene will also be safe at the maximum proposed level of 5 mg/kg complete feed for all target species. The calculated safe use level for 2-methoxyethyl benzene and 2-methoxynaphthalene were 0.5 and 0.08 for cattle, salmonids and non-food producing animals and 0.3 and 0.05 mg/ kg complete feed for pigs and poultry, respectively. Safe concentrations should be appropriately reduced if used in water for drinking. The absence of a margin of safety would not allow their simultaneous administration, except 1,2-dimethoxy-4-(prop-1- enyl)benzene and 1-methoxy-4-methylbenzene, in feed and water for drinking. No residues of safety concern derived from the aromatic ethers and anisole derivatives of CG 26 are expected in animal tissues or products, and the use of these compounds up to the highest doses safe for the target animals would not measurably increase consumer exposure. The Panel considered it prudent to treat all compounds under assessment as irritant to skin, eye and respiratory tract, skin sensitisers, harmful if swallowed. At a dose of 1 mg/kg complete feed these compounds are not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Their environmental consequences when used at a dose of 5 mg/kg complete feed are less certain and may result in PNECs being exceeded in both water and soil compartments. Since these 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.