Silage bacteria for another 10 years: seven strains of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lentilactobacillus buchneri with counting on MRS agar (EN 15787) and PFGE identification — EFSA could not rule out Enterobacteriaceae because no recognised method was used
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/1146 of 28 May 2026, published on 29 May, renews until 18 June 2036 the authorisations of preparations of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum DSM 18112, DSM 18113, DSM 18114, ATCC 55943 and ATCC 55944 and Lentilactobacillus buchneri ATCC PTA-2494 and ATCC PTA-6138 as silage additives for all animal species. Each preparation must contain at least 1 × 10¹⁰ CFU/g.
- Methods in the annex: bacterial counts in the additive are determined by spread plating on MRS agar according to EN 15787, and the strain is identified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) according to CEN/TS 17697 or by DNA sequencing methods. The reference laboratory considered the earlier evaluation of the methods still valid, so no new report was needed.
- The additives are used only in easy-to-ensile fresh material, i.e. containing more than 3% soluble carbohydrates (Regulation (EC) No 429/2008). Minimum dose when the strain is not combined with other microorganisms or enzymes: 5 × 10⁶ CFU/kg fresh material for DSM 18112 and ATCC 55944, 2 × 10⁷ CFU/kg for DSM 18113, DSM 18114 and ATCC 55943, and 1 × 10⁸ CFU/kg for both L. buchneri strains.
- In its April 2024 opinions EFSA could not conclude on the full characterisation of the preparations due to the absence of data on microbial contamination and impurities. In its opinion of 24 June 2025 it assessed new data: in three batches of each additive, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, lead and mycotoxins were below the limits of detection, Salmonella and Gram-negative bacteria were not detected in 25 g, and coliforms as well as yeasts and moulds were below 10 CFU/g.
- For Enterobacteriaceae the applicant did not follow an internationally recognised method, so the FEEDAP Panel could not exclude their presence; it nevertheless considered that the contamination raises no concerns. The additives were considered skin and respiratory sensitisers (eye irritation was not assessed for lack of data). The regulation amends Regulation (EU) No 1065/2012 and repeals Regulation (EU) No 1113/2013; preparations labelled before 18 June 2027 may be used up.