Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of the enzyme preparation Bio-Feed Combi for use as feed additive for chickens for fattening and piglets

The European Food Safety Authority received a request to assess the safety of product Bio-Feed Combi CT and L (coated and liquid forms) for use in chickens for fattening and piglets. Bio-Feed Combi is a feed additive based on the enzymes endo-1,4-beta-xylanase and endo–1,3(4)-β- glucanase. The enzyme preparation is made by combining the activities produced by Aspergillus oryzae (DSM 10287) carrying a gene from Thermomyces lanuginosus (authorised as Bio Feed Wheat) and Aspergillus aculeatus (authorised as Energex). It is intended for improvement of digestibility of feed rich in non-starch polysaccharides. The general safety for the user, consumer and environment has already been established for each individual enzyme preparation. Thus, this application is considered as an extension of use requiring evidence that the combined product does not adversely affect the target species. Two tolerance tests were reported using 8.3 and 10 times the maximum recommended dose for chickens and piglets respectively. The major animal performance parameters were not adversely affected in the treated groups compared to control groups given the same feed without enzyme addition. FEEDAP Panel concludes that the combination of the two already approved enzyme preparations does not add any risks for the target animal categories chickens for fattening and piglets, the user, consumer and environment.