Safety of lactic acid and calcium lactate when used as technological additives for all animal species

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 lactic acid and calcium lactate for all animal species. In 2015 and in 2017, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Nutrition (FEEDAP) delivered two opinions on the safety of lactic acid and calcium lactate. In that opinion, the panel concluded that the additive is safe for pigs and ruminants at concentrations of 50,000 mg lactic acid/kg complete feed but could not conclude on the safety for poultry and for pre‐ruminants. Now the applicant is proposing a new maximum concentration of 20,000 mg lactic acid/kg feed for all other animal species, with the exclusion of pre‐ruminants, and provided a new study in chickens for fattening. Based on the results of the new study, the Panel concluded that 20,000 mg lactic acid/kg complete feed is safe for chickens for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel extrapolates the lowest safe level of 20,000 mg lactic acid/kg complete feed observed in chicken for fattening to all animal species other than pigs and ruminants for which 50,000 mg lactic acid/kg is safe, with the exception of pre‐ruminants for which a safe dose could not be established. The maximum content of 20,000 mg lactic acid is equivalent to 24,000 mg calcium lactate and 30,000 mg calcium lactate hydrate (hydrate, n = 4–5). The corresponding maximum content in water for drinking would be 8,000 mg lactic acid/L.