Safety and efficacy of microorganism DSM 11798 as a technological additive for all avian species

Biomin^® BBSH 797 is the trade name for a feed additive containing viable cells of an unnamed bacterium (DSM 11798). The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) produced an opinion on the safety and efficacy of this additive when used with pigs concluding that the additive itself did not raise any safety concern. It was confirmed that the additive could reduce the trichothecene, deoxynivalenol (DON), producing the less toxic de-epoxy metabolite. The applicant is now seeking authorisation for the use of the additive in feed for all avian species and, since the current authorisation only covers DON, the amending of this authorisation to include all trichothecene mycotoxins. Chickens and turkeys for fattening and laying hens showed no adverse effects when the additive was added to diets at 1000 times the recommended dose. Consequently, the additive is considered safe for these species/categories when used at the recommended dose of 1.7 × 10⁸ colony-forming units (CFU)/kg complete feed. This conclusion is extended to all avian species. The use of the additive in feed for all avian species is not expected to introduce concerns for consumers, users or the environment not previously considered. <i>In vitro</i> and <i>in vivo</i> studies showed that the inclusion of the additive at the recommended dose of 1.7 × 10⁸ CFU/kg was effective in reducing contaminating DON in feed when given to avian species with a concomitant production of the less toxic de-epoxy metabolite. The additive was shown to reduce the 12,13-epoxide group of representative trichothecenes. It would be reasonable to assume a similar reaction with other mycotoxins of the same structural type independent of the animal species or category receiving contaminated feed. The additive is compatible with the coccidiostats monensin sodium, salinomycin sodium, narasin, narasin/nicarbazin, nicarbazin, robenidine hydrochloride and diclazuril.