Cedarwood Texas essential oil from Juniperus deppeana (2b91722-eo) as a flavouring in feed until 5 March 2035: cis-thujopsene 25–35 % determined by GC-FID (ISO 4725), (+)-cedrol ≥ 20 %, α-cedrene 15–25 %, β-cedrene 3–8 %; recommended maximum contents from 4 mg/kg for cats to 15 mg/kg for dogs, horses and fish, among others
Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2025/278, published on 13 February 2025, following a re-evaluation authorises the essential oil from the wood of Mexican juniper (Juniperus deppeana, synonym J. mexicana) as a sensory additive for all animal species; it had previously been authorised under Directive 70/524/EEC. Use in drinking water was not authorised. The Commission relies on the EFSA opinion of 18 April 2024 and considers that safety does not require maximum contents — recommended maximum contents for individual species are stated on the label.
- Annex: oil obtained by steam distillation of the wood, condensation of the volatile components and separation from the aqueous phase by decantation (Council of Europe definition); CAS 91722-61-1, EINECS 294-461-7; specification: cis-thujopsene 25–35 %, (+)-cedrol ≥ 20 %, α-cedrene 15–25 %, β-cedrene 3–8 %. Method: cis-thujopsene (phytochemical marker) in the additive — GC-FID according to ISO 4725. Recommended maximum contents (mg/kg complete feed): turkeys for fattening 7, chickens and other poultry for fattening 5, poultry for laying or breeding 8, pigs for fattening 12, piglets 10, Suidae for reproduction 14, calves, sheep, goats, cattle for fattening, Equidae, dogs, salmonids and ornamental fish 15, other ruminants 14, rabbits 8.5, cats 4, other species 4.
- EFSA data (five batches): refractive index 1.5050–1.5053 (specification 1.500–1.510); by GC-FID (% peak area) cis-thujopsene 26.8–31.0 %, (+)-cedrol 20.9–23.8 %, α-cedrene 15.8–19.3 %, β-cedrene 4.73–6.19 %, and also cuparene 1.37–1.47 % and widdrol 1.19–1.62 %. GC-MS detected up to 92 constituents, of which the 82 identified accounted on average for 97.8 % of the area — EFSA considered the oil a fully defined mixture. No substances of concern were found in the literature; no data on impurities were submitted (with steam distillation EFSA considered carry-over unlikely, except for mercury).
- Safety (EFSA): component-based assessment in nine assessment groups (corresponding to seven chemical groups) with a combined margin of exposure; the safe feed concentrations calculated at the proposed 15 mg/kg came out lower for chickens for fattening (5), laying hens (8), turkeys (7), piglets (10), pigs for fattening (12), sows and dairy cows (14), rabbits (8.5) and cats (4). No concerns for consumers and the environment. The oil should be considered irritant to skin and eyes and a skin and respiratory sensitiser — the act requires procedures and, where they are not sufficient, skin, eye and respiratory protection.
- Discrepancy between language versions: in the Polish version of the act ornamental birds appear twice in the list of recommended contents — with 5 mg and with 15 mg — and ornamental fish are missing; the English and German versions give 5 mg for ornamental birds and 15 mg for ornamental fish, in line with the EFSA conclusions. Transitional period: additive and premixtures produced before 5 September 2025, feed for food-producing animals — before 5 March 2026, for others — before 5 March 2027.