Safety and efficacy of HOSTAZYM^® X (endo-1,4-β-xylanase) as a feed additive for carps

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 HOSTAZYM ^® X. The additive HOSTAZYM ^® X is a preparation of endo-1,4-β-xylanase available in different liquid and solid formulations. This product is authorised as a feed additive for chickens for fattening, turkeys for fattening, laying hens, minor poultry species for fattening and laying, weaned piglets and pigs for fattening. The FEEDAP Panel adopted two opinions on the safety and efficacy of the product as a feed additive for poultry and pigs, and another one for its use as a feed additive in chickens reared for laying and minor poultry species reared for laying. The applicant has now requested to extend the authorisation to carps (Cyprinus carpio). The FEEDAP Panel considered that the new use of the additive would not change the previous conclusions regarding the safety for the consumer, user and environment. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that there are no concerns for consumer safety and no risks for the environment are expected. Considering the safety for the user, it was concluded that the additive should be considered a potential skin and eye irritant, and a potential skin and respiratory sensitiser. The data in a tolerance trial performed with carps showed that the additive is safe for carp at 1,050 endo-pentosanase units (EPU)/kg feed. The results in three efficacy trials showed that the additive has the potential to improve the performance of the carps at 1,050 EPU/kg feed.