Safety and efficacy of an additive consisting of phyllite, natural mixture of minerals of metamorphic origin, as a feed additive for all animal species (Marmorkalkwerk Troesch GmbH & Co. KG).

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on phyllite, a natural mixture of minerals of metamorphic origin, as a feed additive for all animal species. The additive, specified to contain at least 40% of mica, muscovite, illite, chlorite and talc as the main components, and maximum 60% of quartz, potassium-feldspar, sodium-feldspar and calcite, is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: (i) anticaking agents) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species at a maximum inclusion level of 25,000 mg/kg. The additive is safe for chickens for fattening and chickens reared for laying/breeding at the maximum inclusion level of 25,000 mg/kg feed, with no margin of safety determined. Owing the absence of data in pigs and ruminants and in the absence of data on the potential genotoxicity of the additive, the Panel is not in the position to conclude on the safety of the additive for any other animal species/categories. The additive is considered safe for the consumers and the environment at the proposed conditions of use. In the absence of data, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the potential of the additive to be a skin and eye irritant and skin sensitiser. Exposure via inhalation is considered a risk. The FEEDAP Panel is not in the position to conclude on the efficacy of the additive as an anticaking agent.