Safety and efficacy of Natugrain® Wheat TS (endo-1,4-β-xylanase) for use as feed additive for chickens for fattening and ducks

Following a request from the European Commission, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Natugrain® Wheat TS (endo-1,4-β-xylanase) when used as a feed additive for chickens for fattening and ducks. The additive Natugrain® Wheat TS is a preparation of endo-1,4-β-xylanase produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger. This product is authorised as a feed additive for chickens and turkeys for fattening. EFSA has previously issued an opinion on the safety of this product for chickens for fattening, including the assessment of the safety for the consumer, the user and the environment, as well as the safety aspects of the genetic modifications. The additive is presented in two formulations: Natugrain® Wheat TS for the solid form and Natugrain® Wheat TS L for the liquid form. The product is intended for use as a feed additive in chickens for fattening and ducks, fed with feed containing high contents of non-starch polysaccharides, at a minimum dose of 280 TXU kg-1 complete feed. The solid (Natugrain® Wheat TS) and liquid (Natugrain® Wheat TS L) forms of the product are considered to be equivalent in terms of safety and efficacy at the same dose. Natugrain® Wheat TS is considered to be safe in chickens and ducks for fattening under the conditions of use proposed. The safety for the consumer and for the user has been previously assessed by the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) and its conclusions are still valid: there are no concerns for the consumer safety, while for the user precautions are recommended to avoid dermal and inhalation exposure. The active agent of Natugrain® Wheat TS is a protein and as such will be degraded/inactivated during the passage through the digestive tract of animals. Therefore, no risk for the environment is expected. The efficacy of the product was demonstrated in three trials, in which supplementation with 560 TXU kg-1 of Natugrain® Wheat TS significantly improved the weight gain and/or feed to gain ratio of chickens for fattening. There is also some evidence of the efficacy of this product in chickens for fattening at 280 TXU kg-1, although this was insufficient to meet the formal requirements. Efficacy is also assumed in ducks for fattening at 560 TXU kg-1, based on the efficacy for chickens and turkeys for fattening.