Safety and efficacy of the feed additives l‐cysteine and l‐cysteine hydrochloride (monohydrate and anhydrous) for all animal species (Wacker Chemie AG)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l‐cysteine and l‐cysteine hydrochloride (monohydrate and anhydrous) as flavouring feed additives for all animal species. The use in feed of l‐cysteine and l‐cysteine hydrochloride (monohydrate and anhydrous), produced by electrochemical reduction of l‐cystine, was considered safe for the target species when supplemented at concentrations up to 25 mg/kg complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use of l‐cysteine and l‐cysteine hydrochloride (monohydrate and anhydrous) in animal nutrition is safe for the consumers of products from animals receiving the additives, and to the environment. Regarding user safety, l‐cysteine was not considered a skin and eye irritant nor a skin sensitiser. The additives l‐cysteine hydrochloride anhydrous and l‐cysteine hydrochloride monohydrate are corrosive to eyes and respiratory tract, but no conclusion can be reached on their skin irritation potential; therefore, any exposure is considered a risk. As l‐cysteine and l‐cysteine hydrochloride are used in food as flavouring compounds, it is expected that they can provide a similar function in feed, and no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary under the proposed conditions of use.