In a notable development for the animal feed industry, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has issued a scientific opinion endorsing Lactococcus lactis DSM 34262 as a safe and effective acidity regulator additive for feeds across all animal species. The announcement, published on 19 January 2026, sets the stage for feed producers, farmers, veterinarians, and regulatory bodies to recalibrate their approaches to feed formulation and animal nutrition. The implications should spark interest among feed additive manufacturers and regulatory authorities, especially concerning safety protocols and user protections.
The document at the center of this news is a Scientific Opinion released by EFSA’s Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP). Dated 19 January 2026, this opinion specifically evaluates the strain Lactococcus lactis DSM 34262 when proposed as a technological additive to regulate acidity in feed materials originating from plants with high moisture content.
This scientific opinion serves as an expert safety and efficacy assessment rather than binding legislation. It offers concrete conclusions based on risk assessment, notably endorsing the strain under the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) framework and establishing a minimum effective use concentration of 1.0 × 10^8 colony forming units (CFU) per kilogram of feed material. However, user safety guidance also flags the additive as a skin and respiratory sensitiser, highlighting occupational exposure risks.
EFSA’s assessment directs towards maintaining current EU powers over feed additive safety evaluation by applying the QPS system, balancing consumer and environmental safety with technical efficacy. The opinion emphasizes precautionary measures for users to mitigate sensitization risks, pointing to a trade-off between encouraging innovative microbial technological additives and safeguarding worker health.
The impact spreads across multiple stakeholders: feed additive enterprises may benefit from clearer regulatory confidence and specified use parameters supporting market access. Farmers and animal producers could see improvements in feed quality through regulated pH control but must remain mindful of handling risks. Regulatory agencies will likely use the opinion to guide authorization decisions and occupational safety frameworks. Meanwhile, EU consumers might gain indirect assurance of feed safety bolstering overall food chain integrity.
Institutionally, this EFSA opinion is expected to feed into the European Commission’s decision-making on authorizing the additive in the EU market. The Commission and member state authorities will likely consider this scientific advice in the upcoming regulatory procedures. The process represents an ongoing engagement with scientific evidence to modernize and fine-tune feed additive approvals, rather than a concluded endpoint.