The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has confirmed that the coccidiostat feed additive monensin sodium (Elancoban G200) is safe for chickens for fattening at a maximum concentration of 100 mg/kg complete feed, but cannot conclude on safety at the currently authorised maximum level of 125 mg/kg. The opinion, published on 18 June 2026 by EFSA's Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP), also extends the same safe level to chickens reared for laying. The assessment follows a request from the European Commission after previous EFSA opinions in 2019 and 2023 left safety uncertainties for chickens.
The production strain, previously identified only at genus level, has now been characterised as a new species, Streptomyces sp. NRRL B-67924, based on new genomic analysis provided by the applicant Elanco GmbH. The additive is intended for use as a coccidiostat to prevent coccidiosis in chickens for fattening (100–125 mg/kg), chickens reared for laying (100–120 mg/kg), and turkeys (60–100 mg/kg). In its 2023 opinion, EFSA had concluded safety for turkeys but not for chickens due to dose-related reductions in average daily gain and final body weight at 125 mg/kg. The new data included two additional tolerance studies in chickens; one was disregarded due to shortcomings, while the other supported safety at 100 mg/kg but not at the higher dose.
EFSA also assessed modifications to the manufacturing process and recommended that specifications for monensin forms be expressed in terms of concentration rather than activity, as the relative biopotency among forms could not be established. The opinion does not address efficacy or safety for consumers, users, or the environment, which remain subject to separate evaluations. The European Commission will consider EFSA's findings in deciding whether to amend the additive's authorisation conditions.