Benzoic acid with thymol, eugenol and piperine (CRINA Poultry Plus) renewed and extended to all poultry — specifications widened because two batches exceeded the previous benzoic acid limit
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2077 of 17 September 2026, published on 18 September, renews until 8 October 2036 the authorisation of the preparation (DSM Nutritional Products) and extends it to all poultry for fattening and reared for laying or breeding; the dose is 300 mg/kg feed. Benzoic acid is now 80–85 % (previously 80–83 %), thymol 1–2 % (previously 1–1.9 %).
- Five batches: benzoic acid 82.08 % (80.20–83.60), thymol 1.72 % (1.5–2.0), eugenol 0.88 % (0.80–1.00), piperine 0.094 % (0.09–0.10). According to EFSA, two batches exceeded the previous benzoic acid specification and one the thymol specification; all comply with the new ones.
- The purity of the components was aligned with the rules on flavouring substances: benzoic acid ≥ 99 % (previously ≥ 95.5 %), piperine ≥ 95 % (previously ≥ 97 %), thymol and eugenol ≥ 98 %, trans-anethole ≥ 99 %. The sum of benzyl salicylate, isoamyl salicylate and trans-anethole is at most 0.6 %.
- Methods: benzoic acid in the additive and premixtures — RP-HPLC-UV, in compound feed — isotope dilution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-IDMS); thymol, eugenol and piperine in the additive — GC-FID. The additive is not to be used with other sources of benzoic acid or benzoates.
- EFSA concluded that the preparation should be considered irritant to skin, eyes and the respiratory tract and a skin and respiratory sensitiser. In three batches the dusting potential (Stauber-Heubach) was 56–82 mg/m³ and lead 0.59–0.61 mg/kg. The existing additive and premixtures labelled before 8 April 2027 may be used until stocks are exhausted.