Safety and efficacy of L-threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum for all animal species

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on L-threonine produced by fermentation with Corynebacterium glutamicum when used as nutritional additive in feed and water for drinking for all animal species and categories. The product under assessment is L-threonine produced by fermentation with a genetically modified strain of C. glutamicum ( ). The production strain and its recombinant DNA were not detected in the additive. The product L-threonine, manufactured by fermentation with C. glutamicum, does not give rise to any safety concern with regard to the production strain. L-Threonine produced using C. glutamicum is considered safe for the target species. The FEEDAP Panel has concerns regarding the safety of the simultaneous oral administration of L-threonine via water for drinking and feed. L-Threonine produced using C. glutamicum is safe for the consumer. The additive is not a skin or eye irritant and is not a skin sensitiser. Although the workers can be exposed by inhalation, the results of an acute inhalation study showed that risk of adverse effects by inhalation is low. L-Threonine produced using C. glutamicum is safe for the environment. The product under assessment is considered an efficacious source of the amino acid L-threonine for all animal species. For L-threonine to be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminant species, it requires protection against degradation in the rumen.