The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has concluded that information submitted by the European Pet Food Industry Association (FEDIAF) does not provide reliable scientific evidence to support the safety of taurine in dogs at levels above 2000 mg/kg complete feed, and does not allow the establishment of a maximum safe dietary taurine level for dogs. In a technical report published on 24 July 2026, EFSA assessed studies in dogs, rodents and cats submitted by FEDIAF, finding that rodent studies did not support a safe level above 2000 mg/kg, while dog studies had important limitations such as not being designed as tolerance studies, involving clinically affected animals, and lacking standard safety endpoints. EFSA noted that taurine shares features with other amino acids, for which maximum contents in complete feed are not usually established, and considered that a maximum level for total taurine in feed for dogs may not be needed.
The request for technical assistance came from the European Commission following the adoption of EFSA's opinion on the renewal of the authorisation of taurine as a feed additive for Canidae, Felidae, Mustelidae and carnivorous fish. The Commission asked whether FEDIAF's data could support a safe level above 2000 mg/kg complete feed for dogs. EFSA evaluated the relevance and reliability of the data, including published studies in dogs reporting no adverse effects at dietary concentrations above 2000 mg/kg, including levels in the range of approximately 3000–4700 mg/kg complete feed and higher exposures under specific clinical conditions. However, EFSA highlighted that these studies were not designed as tolerance studies, often involved clinically affected animals, used diets differing in several nutrients or bioactive compounds, and lacked standard safety endpoints or individual exposure data. A study in cats was not considered suitable for extrapolation to dogs because cats have a nutritional requirement for taurine.
EFSA's conclusion means that the current maximum level of 2000 mg/kg complete feed for dogs remains in place, as no higher safe level could be established. The pet food industry, represented by FEDIAF, may need to provide additional robust tolerance studies if it wishes to support higher inclusion levels. Dog owners and pet food manufacturers are not directly impacted by a change in maximum levels, as EFSA considered that a maximum level may not be needed, aligning with the approach for other amino acids. The European Commission will consider EFSA's technical assistance in the context of the draft Regulation for the renewal of the authorisation of taurine as a feed additive.