Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of l-threonine produced using Corynebacterium glutamicumKCCM 80367 for all animal species (CJ Europe GmbH).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of l-threonine produced by fermentation using the genetically modified strain of Corynebacterium glutamicum, KCCM 80367, as a nutritional additive in feed for all animal species and categories. In the manufacturing process used to obtain the product under assessment, the cells from the production strain are inactivated but not removed from the final product. The FEEDAP Panel concluded that the additive does not give rise to any safety concern regarding the genetic modification of the strain. DNA from the strain is present in the final product, but its presence does not raise any safety issue since the strain does not harbour any gene of concern. No viable cells of the strain were detected in the final product. The use of l-threonine produced using C. glutamicum KCCM 80367 in feed is safe for the target species when supplemented in appropriate amounts to the diet according to their nutritional needs. The use of l-threonine produced using C. glutamicum KCCM 80367 in animal nutrition is considered safe for the consumers of products from animals receiving the additive, and to the environment. With regard to the safety of users, the additive is not irritant to skin but should be considered as a skin and respiratory sensitiser. No conclusions can be reached on its eye irritation potential. Exposure of users by inhalation and dermal routes is considered a risk. The additive l-threonine produced using C. glutamicum KCCM 80367 is regarded as an effective source of the amino acid l-threonine for all non-ruminant species. To be as efficacious in ruminants as in non-ruminants, it should be protected from ruminal degradation.