Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil from the aerial parts of Anethum graveolens L. (dill herb oil) for use in dogs and cats (FEFANA asbl)

EFSA J. 2022 Dec 21;20(12):e07689. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2022.7689. eCollection 2022 Dec.

Abstract

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil obtained from the aerial parts of Anethum graveolens L. (dill herb oil), when used as a sensory additive (flavouring) in feed for dogs and cats. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that dill herb oil is safe at use levels in complete feed of 7 mg/kg for dogs and 5 mg/kg for cats. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Since the aerial parts of A. graveolens and its preparations are recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.

Keywords: Anethum graveolens L.; apiole; carvone; dill herb oil; estragole; flavouring compounds; sensory additives.