Three essential oils authorised in feed until 21 April 2035: geranium rose (2b324-eo, marker citronellol, GC-FID per ISO 4731, recommended 5 mg/kg), eucalyptus (2b185-eo, 1,8-cineole 70–87 %, ISO 770, methyleugenol ≤ 0.005 %, 10–75 mg/kg) and lemongrass (2b38-eo, neral and geranial, ISO 4718, methyleugenol plus elemicin ≤ 0.01 %, 33–125 mg/kg); not in water for drinking
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/630, published on 1 April 2025, authorises as sensory additives (flavouring compounds) for all animal species three oils previously used under Directive 70/524/EEC. The applicant also wanted use in water for drinking, but Regulation 1831/2003 does not allow flavouring compounds to be authorised in water. EFSA (opinions of 4 July 2023) found the oils safe at specified concentrations, for consumers and the environment; all three are to be regarded as irritant to skin and eyes and as dermal and respiratory sensitisers.
- Geranium rose oil from the herbaceous parts of Pelargonium graveolens (steam distillation, CAS 8000-46-2, FEMA 2508, CoE 324): citronellol 25–36 %, geraniol 10–18 %, citronellyl formate 4–9 %, linalool 4–8.5 %, d,l-isomenthone 4–8 %, rose oxide 0.7–1.5 %; citronellol (the phytochemical marker) is determined in the additive by GC-FID according to ISO 4731. Recommended maximum content — 5 mg/kg complete feed (12 % moisture) for all species; EFSA: compliance with the specification in five batches (GC-FID, % peak area), refractive index 1.464–1.469.
- Eucalyptus oil from leaves and twigs of Eucalyptus globulus (CAS 8000-48-4, FEMA 2466, CoE 185): 1,8-cineole 70–87 %, d-limonene 2–15 %, α-pinene 1–10 %, methyleugenol max. 0.005 %; 1,8-cineole is determined by GC-FID according to ISO 770. Recommended maxima include: chickens for fattening 12 mg/kg, turkeys 16, pigs for fattening 26, Suidae for reproduction 32, calves up to 6 months 55, sheep, goats, cattle for fattening and Equidae 48, all other ruminants and Camelidae 31, rabbits 19, salmonids 55, dogs 58, cats 10, ornamental fish 75, other species 10 mg/kg. EFSA: the specified constituents make up on average 90 % of the GC area (seven batches, GC-MS); methyleugenol is reported in the literature only for oils of different composition.
- Lemongrass oil from the aerial parts of Cymbopogon flexuosus (CAS 8007-02-1, FEMA 2624, CoE 38): geranial 35–47 %, neral 25–35 %, geraniol 1.5–8 %, geranyl acetate 0.5–6 %, β-caryophyllene 0.2–3.5 %, methyleugenol and elemicin together max. 0.01 %; neral and geranial are determined by GC-FID according to ISO 4718. Recommended maxima include: chickens for fattening 41 mg/kg, turkeys 55, pigs for fattening 88, sows and Equidae 100, ruminants 75, salmonids 125, dogs and ornamental fish 50, cats and other species 33 mg/kg. EFSA: methyleugenol and elemicin were not detected by GC-MS in the oil assessed (limit of detection 0.01 %), although some chemotypes of C. flexuosus contain up to 20 % methyleugenol.
- Language versions: in the Polish version of the annex the 12 mg (eucalyptus) and 41 mg (lemongrass) entries and the 18 mg and 61 mg entries bear the same category name ‘all poultry reared for laying or breeding’; the English version distinguishes poultry reared for laying or breeding (12 and 41 mg) from poultry for laying or breeding (18 and 61 mg), as does EFSA (laying hens 18 and 61 mg/kg). Transitional provisions: additives and premixtures produced under the old rules before 21 October 2025, feed for food-producing animals before 21 April 2026 and for other animals before 21 April 2027 — until stocks are exhausted. For eucalyptus oil EFSA refers to irritation of the respiratory tract and skin sensitisation; the act — to dermal and respiratory sensitisation.