Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed on the safety of the enzyme preparation Natuphos (R) (3-phytase) produced by Aspergillus niger for laying hens and turkeys for fattening

The additive Natuphos (R) is a preparation of 3-phytase (EC 3.1.3.8) produced by a strain of Aspergillus niger. The FEEDAP and GMO Panels of EFSA adopted an opinion on the safety and efficacy of this product for piglets (weaned), pigs for fattening, sows, chickens for fattening, laying hens and turkeys for fattening. In that opinion it was stated that there was "not enough evidence to conclude on the safety of this enzyme preparation for laying hens, turkeys and sows due to the short duration of the studies provided". The applicant has provided new tolerance studies for laying hens and turkeys for fattening. The results from the first tolerance trial showed that laying hens tolerated 150X the maximum recommended dose of Natuphos (R). Despite some concerns about the quality of the tolerance trial in turkeys for fattening, the FEEDAP Panel considered that there was sufficient evidence that turkeys for fattening tolerated 200X the maximum recommended dose of Natuphos (R). Therefore, based on this data, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of Natuphos at the recommended level is safe for laying hens and turkeys for fattening.