Safety and efficacy of Lactococcus lactis NCIMB 30160 as a feed additive for all animal species

Following a request from European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the proposed modification of the terms of the authorisation regarding the formulation of the product <i>Lactococcus lactis</i> NCIMB 30160. The applicant has proposed to modify the manufacturing process by replacing one ingredient in the freeze-drying step with polyethylene glycol (PEG 4000), a product authorised in the EU as a food additive. The use of PEG 4000 as an excipient in formulations with <i>Lactococcus lactis</i> NCIMB 30160 would not change the previous conclusions regarding the safety for the target animals, consumers and users. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the additive is safe for target species and for consumers of products from animals fed the treated silage. The additive is not a skin irritant but is a potential skin/respiratory sensitiser. In the absence of data, the Panel is unable to conclude on the safety for the environment of the proposed use of PEG 4000 as excipient in formulations of the additive. The FEEDAP Panel sees no reason to reconsider the conclusions on efficacy previously drawn that the additive containing <i>L. lactis</i> NCIMB 30160 has the potential to improve the production of silage from all forages by increasing lactic acid content and the preservation of dry matter, by reducing the pH and moderately the loss of protein, as determined by ammonia-N.