Abstract
Following a request from the European Commission, the EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of expressed sweet orange oil and its fractions obtained from the fruit peels of Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck, when used as sensory additives (flavourings) in feed and water for drinking for all animal species. The presence of perillaldehyde was identified as a source of potential concern. However, in target species fed citrus by-products as part of daily feed, the use of the expressed orange oil and its fractions was not expected to increase the exposure to perillaldehyde to a relevant extent (< 10%). For dogs, cats, ornamental fish and ornamental birds not normally exposed to citrus by-products, no conclusion can be drawn. For the other species, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additives under assessment are safe at the maximum proposed use levels in complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. No concerns for consumer safety were identified following the use of the additives up to the maximum proposed use level in feed. The additives under assessment should be considered as irritants to skin and eyes, and as skin and respiratory sensitisers. The use of the additives under the proposed conditions of use in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Expressed orange oil and its fractions were recognised to flavour food. Since their function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.