Safety and efficacy of Lactobacillus acidophilus D2/CSL (Lactobacillus acidophilus CECT 4529) as a feed additive for cats and dogs

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> D2/CSL when used in feed for cats and dogs at a minimum dose of 5 × 10⁹ colony forming units (CFU)/kg complete feedingstuffs. The additive is a preparation of viable cells of <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> CECT 4529. This species is considered by the European Food Safety Authority to be suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to establishing safety for the target species and the environment. The safety of <i>L. acidophilus</i> CECT 4529 was assessed by EFSA in 2014. Following the QPS approach to safety assessment, <i>L. acidophilus</i> CECT 4529 is assumed to be safe for the target species and the environment without the need for further studies. No concerns are expected from other excipients present in the product, so <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> D2/CSL is also considered safe for target animals, including cats and dogs, and the environment. The safety of the additive for the user was also considered in that opinion. The FEEDAP Panel is unaware of any new data that would lead it to revise its conclusions that the additive should be considered to be an eye/skin irritant and a skin/respiratory sensitiser. <i>Lactobacillus acidophilus</i> D2/CSL has some potential to reduce the moisture of stools from dogs and cats receiving the additive at 5 x 10⁹ CFU/kg feed. However, the biological relevance of the magnitude of the effect detected is questionable.