Safety of the enzymatic preparation Natuphos® (3-phytase) for sows

Following a request from the European Commission (EC), the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of the enzymatic preparation Natuphos® (3-phytase) for sows. Natuphos® is a preparation of 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) produced by a genetically modified strain of Aspergillus niger, presented in solid and liquid forms. It is already authorised as a feed additive for weaned piglets, pigs for fattening, chickens for fattening, laying hens and turkeys for fattening. In a previous opinion the FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the safety of this enzyme preparation for sows due to the short duration of the tolerance study provided. The applicant has now provided a new tolerance study in sows. Based on the tolerance study performed on sows during one reproduction cycle with a 200X overdose of Natuphos®, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that Natuphos® is safe for sows at the recommended dose, supplied either in solid or liquid form.