Assessment of the feed additives consisting of ascorbic acid (3a300), sodium ascorbate (1b301), calcium ascorbate (1b302), ascorbyl palmitate (1b304), sodium calcium ascorbyl[...]

Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the assessment of the application for renewal of authorisation of ascorbic acid, sodium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate, ascorbyl palmitate, sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate, sodium ascorbyl phosphate (as sources of vitamin C) as feed additives for all animal species. The applicants have provided data demonstrating that the additives currently in the market comply with the conditions of authorisation. Thus, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additives remain safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Regarding the user safety, ascorbic acid and sodium ascorbyl phosphate are not irritant to the skin or eyes and are not dermal sensitisers. Sodium ascorbate is not a skin sensitiser, but the Panel cannot conclude on its potential to be irritant to skin and eyes. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the safety of calcium ascorbate for the user. Ascorbyl palmitate is not irritant to skin and eyes and is not a dermal sensitiser. Sodium calcium ascorbyl phosphate should not be considered a skin and eye irritant nor a skin sensitiser.

There is no need to assess the efficacy of the additives in the context of the renewal of the authorisation.