Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of sodium bisulphate (SBS) for all animal species as preservative and silage additive, for pets and other non food-producing animals (non-food fur animals) as acidity regulator and for pets as flavouring

The additive (SBS) consists of sodium bisulphate without carrier materials. The applicants are seeking authorisation for SBS as a silage additive and for use as feed preservative for all animal species, as acidity regulator for pets and other non food-producing animals and as flavouring for pets. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that (i) there is no convincing evidence for the safety of SBS as preservative in all animal species at the recommended maximum concentration of 1 % in complete feed, (ii) the use of SBS in pets and other non food-producing animals is safe up to a concentration of 0.5 % – this maximum safe concentration of SBS cannot be applied to all animal species because of the lack of data in food-producing animals, and (iii) 0.8 % SBS added to fresh ensiling forages is safe for all animal species, based on data from a study with dairy cows. The use of SBS in animal nutrition is safe for the consumer up to the highest recommended level in complete feed. Sodium bisulphate is irritant to skin, eye and the respiratory tract and should be considered as a potential skin sensitiser. The use of SBS in feed is not expected to pose an additional risk for the environment. SBS is considered efficacious as preservative for all animal species, as acidity regulator in feed for pets and other non foodproducing animals and as flavouring substance for pets, based on the fact that SBS is authorised for the same purpose in food and on the studies provided. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that SBS is not efficacious as silage additive at the concentrations tested. The FEEDAP Panel recommended setting a maximum content of 0.5 % for SBS if authorised as acidity regulator and flavouring substance for pets and other non food-producing animals.