The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) aims to streamline and expand poultry feed additive regulations in its freshly published assessment, signaling an evolution in poultry nutrition management. Stakeholders ranging from feed manufacturers and poultry farmers to regulatory bodies and animal welfare advocates are poised for responses to the authority’s recommendations due to the possible shifts in the regulatory landscape and operational standards.
This document is EFSA’s Scientific Opinion, dated January 5, 2026, released by its Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP). It evaluates the feed additive CRINA® Poultry Plus, a blend of benzoic acid, thymol, eugenol, and piperine produced by DSM Nutritional Products Ltd, notably considering its reauthorization and an extension of use.
As a scientific opinion rather than binding legislation, the document provides an expert appraisal and assessment necessary for regulatory decisions. It contains concrete proposals: reauthorization of the additive’s use along with an extension for all poultry species used for fattening and reproduction. However, it stops short of implementing compulsory legal rules, serving as a foundational reference for policymaking.
EFSA’s policy orientation emphasizes broadening the additive’s authorized applications while maintaining safety and efficacy through rigorous scientific evaluation. This suggests a subtle shift toward more integrated EU-level regulation of feed additives, balancing innovation and animal health safeguards, potentially influencing the dynamics between national regulatory autonomy and EU-wide standards.
Multiple stakeholders are impacted: feed additive producers may welcome expanded market opportunities while facing stringent compliance demands; poultry farmers might benefit from enhanced feed options potentially improving poultry growth and reproduction outcomes; regulatory bodies are tasked with updated monitoring responsibilities; meanwhile, consumers and animal welfare groups will scrutinize the health and ethical impact of wider additive use.
This Scientific Opinion marks a continuation of the EU’s regulatory process on animal feed additives. It lays groundwork for the European Commission and member state authorities to consider formal authorization extensions and oversight adaptations. Next steps involve potential legislative or administrative responses based on EFSA’s conclusions to finalize the regulatory changes.