Safety and efficacy of OptiPhos® PLUS (6 phytase) for laying hens, turkeys for breeding, chickens for breeding, minor poultry species for egg production purposes and breeding

Following a request from the European Commission, the 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 OptiPhos PLUS®, intended to be used as a feed additive for laying hens, turkeys for breeding, chickens for breeding, minor poultry species for egg production purposes and breeding. The active substance is 6-phytase produced by a genetically modified strain of Komagataella phaffii. The EFSA FEEDAP Panel concluded that the genetic modification of the production strain does not give rise to safety concerns. Based on the tolerance studies provided, the Panel concluded that the additive is safe for the target species under the conditions of use with a wide margin of safety. The additive was considered safe also for the consumer and the environment. The additive is not a skin irritant but is a dermal sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel could not conclude on the eye irritation potential of the additive. Owing to the proteinaceous nature of the active substance, the additive is considered a respiratory sensitiser. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive has the potential to be efficacious in increasing the phosphorus utilisation in laying hens at the level of 250 FTU/kg feed. These conclusions were extended to turkeys for breeding and chickens for breeding and extrapolated to minor poultry species for egg production purposes and breeding.