Safety and efficacy of feed additives consisting of rosemary tinctures obtained from the leaves of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of two tinctures obtained from the leaves of Salvia rosmarinus Spenn. (rosemary tinctures) when used as sensory additives. The tinctures are water/ethanol solutions, with a dry matter content of 4.43% (tincture A) and 1.28% (tincture B). Tincture A is proposed for use in feed for chickens for fattening, laying hens, horses and dogs, while tincture B is intended for use in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additives under assessment are safe for the target species at the maximum proposed use level of 500 mg/kg complete feed: (i) rosemary tincture A for chickens for fattening, laying hens, horses and dogs; (ii) rosemary tincture B for all animal species. The FEEDAP Panel considered that, for tincture B, the use level in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. No safety concern would arise for the consumer and the environment from the use of rosemary tinctures in animal feed. Regarding user safety, the additives under assessment should be considered as irritants to skin and eyes, and as dermal and respiratory sensitisers. Any exposure is considered a risk. Since the leaves of S. rosmarinus are recognised to flavour food and their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.