Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation

Safety and efficacy of Nimicoat® (carvacrol) as a zootechnical additive for weaned piglets

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) et al. EFSA J. .

Abstract

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 Nimicoat® (carvacrol), as a zootechnical additive for weaned piglets. The additive is composed by carvacrol (≥ 40 %) as an active substance encapsulated with high-melting lipids. Nimicoat® is intended to be used in feed for weaned piglets at a minimum recommended dose of 250 mg/kg complete feed and at a maximum recommended dose of 1,000 mg/kg complete feed corresponding to a minimum and maximum of 100 and 400 mg carvacrol/kg complete feed, respectively. Based on a tolerance study, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of Nimicoat® in feed for weaned piglet at the maximum recommended dose of 1,000 mg/kg feed is safe for the target animal; however, a precise figure for the margin of safety cannot be defined. Nimicoat® used in feed for weaned piglets at the maximum recommended concentration does not pose a safety concern for consumers. The additive is corrosive to eyes, skin and the respiratory mucosae. Concerning safety for the environment a Phase II was required; taking into consideration the data provided, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not pose any risk to the terrestrial and aquatic compartments and that bioaccumulation potential for carvacrol is low and risk for secondary poisoning for worm/fish eating birds and mammals is not likely to occur. Only one study positively supporting efficacy of the additive was available; therefore, the FEEDAP Panel is not in a position to conclude on the efficacy of Nimicoat®.

Keywords: Carvacrol; Efficacy; Nimicoat®; Safety; other zootechnical additives; piglets; zootechnical additives.

PubMed Disclaimer

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Structural formula of carvacrol
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. ECHA (European Chemicals Agency), 2017. Guidance on the Biocidal Product Regulation. Volume IV Environment ‐ Assessment and Evaluation (Parts B + C). European Chemicals Agency, Helsinki, Sweden. Available online: https://echa.europa.eu/documents/10162/23036412/bpr_guidance_ra_vol_iv_p...
    1. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2006. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food. Flavouring Group Evaluation 22: Ring‐substituted phenolic substances from chemical groups 21 and 25. EFSA Journal 2006;5(5):393, 78 pp. 10.2903/j.efsa.2007.393 - DOI
    1. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2008a. Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Food Additives, Flavourings, Processing Aids and Materials in Contact with Food. Flavouring Group Evaluation 58 (FGE.58) Consideration of phenol derivatives evaluated by JECFA (55th meeting) structurally related to ring substituted phenolic substances evaluated by EFSA in FGE.22 (2006) (Commission Regulation (EC) No 1565/2000 of 18 July 2000). EFSA Journal 2008;6(5):711, 50 pp. 10.2903/j.efsa.2008.711 - DOI
    1. EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), 2008b. Technical Guidance of the Scientific Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) for assessing the safety of feed additives for the environment. EFSA Journal 2008;6(10):842, 28 pp. 10.2903/j.efsa.2008.842 - DOI
    1. EFSA FEEDAP Panel (EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed), 2011. Technical guidance: Tolerance and efficacy studies in target animals. EFSA Journal 2011;9(5):2175, 15 pp. 10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2175 - DOI