Safety Assessment RP791 L. Buchneri

An application was submitted to the Food Standards Agency in April 2021 Lallemand Animal Nutrition UK (“the applicant”) for the renewal of authorisation of preparations of 9 bacterial strains, under the category of ‘technological additives’, functional group ‘silage additives’ for their use in all animal species: Lactobacillus buchneri NCIMB 40788 CNCM I-4323, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM I-3235, Lactobacillus plantarum CNCM MA 18/5U DSM 11672, Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM I-3237, Pediococcus acidilactici CNCM MA 18/5M DSM 11673, Pediococcus pentosaceus NCIMB 12455, Propionibacterium acidipropionici CNCM MA 26/4U, Lactobacillus buchneri NCIMB 40788 CNCM I-4323 and Lactobacillus hilgardii CNCM I-4785. Due to a recent taxonomical change, the applicant wished to update the names of some Lactobacillus strains and of the Propionibacterium acidipropionici strains. To support the Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Food Standards Scotland (FSS) in evaluating the dossier, the Advisory Committee on Animal Feedingstuffs (ACAF) were asked to review the dossier and the supplementary information from the applicant. After receiving further information from the applicant, ACAF were able to conclude that the various samples of bacteria have remained relatively stable since the original authorisation. The ACAF concluded that the additives can be considered safe for the target species, consumers and the environment, based on the Qualified Presumption of Safety (QPS) status of the silage additives. In terms of safety for users and workers, all additives must be assumed to be respiratory sensitisers. Members concluded that the silage additive Pediococcus acidilactici MA18/5M is not an eye irritant, skin sensitiser or skin irritant, however, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, all other additives in the application must be considered as potential eye irritants, skin sensitisers and skin irritants. No efficacy evaluation was required for the renewal of authorisation. The views of ACAF have been taken into account in the safety assessment which represents the opinion of the FSA and FSS.