Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of Pediococcus pentosaceus (DSM 16244) as a feed additive for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety for the target animals, consumer, user and for the environment and on the efficacy of a product based on a single strain of Pediococcus pentosaceus, when used as a technological additive intended to improve the ensiling process. The bacterial species P. pentosaceus is considered by EFSA to be suitable for the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) approach. Therefore, it does not require any specific demonstration of safety other than confirming the absence of any determinants of resistance to antibiotics of human and veterinary clinical significance and the safety for the user. As the identity of the strain DSM 16244 has been established and no antibiotic resistance detected, the use of the strain in the production of silage is considered safe for livestock species, consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage and for the environment. The additive is not an irritant to skin or eyes. It should be considered as a potential sensitiser. Four studies with laboratory-scale silos are described, each lasting at least 90 days, made using grass forage of differing water-soluble carbohydrate content and representing material easy to ensile, moderately difficult to ensile and difficult to ensile. In each case, replicate silos containing treated forage were compared to identical silos containing the same untreated forage. The additive consistently showed the potential to improve the production of silage by a reduction of pH and increased preservation of dry matter.