The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has taken a scientific stance on a feed additive consisting of bacterial strains Bacillus subtilis DSM 33862 and Lentilactobacillus buchneri DSM 12856, positioning it as a safe acidity regulator for all animal species. This development primarily affects animal feed producers, livestock farmers, regulatory authorities, and consumer protection groups who will be watching closely to understand the safety and regulatory implications.
Issued by EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) on 19 January 2026, this Scientific Opinion brings a rigorous evaluation of this bacterial cocktail's safety and efficacy in feed materials of plant origin with high moisture content.
Unlike new legislation, this document presents EFSA's scientific opinion, intended as an evidence-based safety and efficacy assessment rather than mandatory rules. The opinion confirms that the bacterial strains meet the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) standards, with no detectable antibiotic resistance or toxigenic potential. Concrete proposals include the recommendation for a minimum concentration of 1.0 × 10^8 colony-forming units (CFU) per kilogram of feed to achieve the desired pH reduction effect.
EFSA’s analysis prioritizes consumer and environmental safety while balancing innovation in feed technology. The guidance underscores increased supervision in screening for potential antibiotic resistance and user safety through warning of skin and respiratory sensitization risks. It does not expand regulatory burdens but sets clear scientific benchmarks for safety and efficacy.
animal feed manufacturers gain a validated acidity regulator that may enhance feed quality and safety, but they must manage user safety precautions due to sensitization risks. Livestock producers could benefit from improved feed stability, although implementation costs and operational changes might arise. Consumers receive assurances about animal feed safety and its implications for the food chain, while national regulators can leverage EFSA’s expertise to harmonize enforcement approaches.
This scientific opinion marks a step in the ongoing process of feed additive evaluation in the EU, where EFSA’s role feeds into Commission decision-making. The European Commission and Member States are expected to consider this opinion in their regulatory processes, potentially leading to market authorizations or updates in guidance for feed additives.
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