Safety of a feed additive consisting of zeolites (≥ 50%) obtained from Neapolitan Yellow Tufa for poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction (Italiana Zeoliti s.r.l.)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety of a feed additive consisting of zeolites (≥ 50%) as a technological feed additive for poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction. In 2024, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) delivered an opinion on the safety and efficacy of the same additive. The Panel concluded that the use of the additive containing zeolites (≥ 50%) in animal nutrition is safe for the consumers and for the environment, and efficacious as an anticaking agent in feed for all animal species. The additive was not considered skin irritant. No conclusion could be reached on the eye irritancy and the respiratory and dermal sensitisation. Due to the dusting potential and its crystalline silica content, the additive was considered a risk by inhalation. In the current assessment, analytical data provided suggests that the inclusion of zeolites (≥ 50%) in poultry feed may interfere with the determination of aflatoxin B1. Regarding the target species, no conclusion could be drawn for poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction. Based on the tolerance studies in chickens for fattening evaluated in the current assessment, the Panel concluded that the inclusion of zeolites (≥ 50%) at 12,500 mg/kg complete feed is safe for chickens for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction. No conclusion could be established on other poultry for fattening or reared for laying/reproduction.