Abstract
The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) has assessed five manganese compounds: manganous chloride, tetrahydrate; manganous sulphate, monohydrate; manganous oxide; manganese chelate of amino acids, hydrate; manganese chelate of glycine, hydrate. The safety assessment is based on the assumption that the current maximum total contents of manganese authorised in feed are respected. All manganese compounds under application are considered safe for all animal species/categories. The mean manganese intake of the European population includes already the manganese from animal products and does not pose a toxicological concern. The effect of dietary manganese fed to animals on tissue concentrations is limited. Supplementation of feed with the manganese compounds under assessment would consequently not affect consumer exposure and is of no concern for consumer safety. All manganese compounds are considered as eye irritants, the manganese chelate of glycine and the manganese chelate of amino acids as irritants to skin and the latter one as dermal sensitiser. However, the presence of nickel in all additives may induce contact dermatitis. Exposure to manganese in dust of all additives and to nickel (except manganous chloride and manganous oxide) poses a risk to users by inhalation. The use of the manganese compounds under assessment in animal nutrition for all animal species is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. The manganese compounds under assessment are recognised as efficacious sources of manganese in meeting animals’ requirements.