Chromium propionate in broilers: human food and broiler safety

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Food Safety
• Trace Mineral Metabolism

Background:

• Chromium propionate (Cr Prop) is approved for broiler diets at 0.20 mg Cr/kg.
• Understanding safety margins and tissue accumulation is crucial for feed additives.

Purpose of the Study:

• Evaluate the safety of Cr Prop at 2x and 10x approved levels in broiler diets.
• Assess the impact of Cr Prop supplementation on chromium concentrations in broiler tissues.

Main Methods:

• A 49-day study involved 216 Ross 708 broilers fed diets with 0, 0.40, or 2.0 mg Cr/kg from Cr Prop.
• Broiler performance, mortality, plasma biochemistry, and tissue chromium levels (breast, liver, skin with fat) were analyzed.

Main Results:

• Supplementation at 0.40 mg Cr/kg (2x) showed no adverse effects on broilers or tissue chromium.
• At 2.0 mg Cr/kg (10x), liver chromium increased (P < 0.05), but breast and skin chromium remained unaffected.
• Higher Cr Prop levels reduced feed intake and weight gain in male broilers (days 21-49) but not females.

Conclusions:

• Cr Prop supplementation in broiler diets at levels up to 10x the approved amount is safe.
• No human health concerns arise from Cr Prop use at these elevated levels in broiler feed.