EFSA Has Approved Guanidinoacetic Acid Additive
The European food safety authority confirmed the substance is safe for use in animal feed across multiple species.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Nutrition
Live Poll
Do you trust scientific conclusions regarding the safety of chemical additives in livestock feed?
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) FEEDAP Panel concluded that guanidinoacetic acid and Creamino are safe for use as animal feed additives. The agency determined these additives are safe for target species, consumers, and the environment.
Why it matters
This scientific opinion was requested by the European Commission to facilitate the renewal and extension of existing feed additive authorizations. The review ensures continued safety standards for livestock feed within the European Union.
The FEEDAP Panel established that a concentration of 600 mg/kg of complete feed is efficacious for suckling piglets. The safety assessment confirmed these additives do not act as skin or eye irritants or skin sensitisers.
The players
European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
This is the agency responsible for providing independent scientific advice and communication on risks associated with the food chain in the European Union.
European Commission
This is the executive branch of the European Union that proposes legislation and requests scientific opinions to inform regulatory decisions.
The details
The evaluation covered the use of guanidinoacetic acid and Creamino in chickens and pigs, confirming the products do not pose health risks during handling or consumption. While the efficacy for suckling piglets was explicitly verified, existing authorizations for other livestock categories did not require a new efficacy assessment.
Timeline
The scientific opinion was published on October 13, 2026.
The Big Picture
This story follows the scientific assessment standards established by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 on additives for use in animal nutrition. The EFSA opinion provides the necessary technical foundation for the European Commission to finalize regulatory renewals.
This regulatory update ensures that animal feed additives continue to meet stringent safety criteria for consumers and the environment. While the findings primarily affect agricultural producers, they support the integrity of the food supply chain by validating the safety of additives used in livestock production.
The takeaway
The EFSA confirmation provides regulatory clarity for agricultural suppliers seeking to renew or extend the use of specific feed additives. Farmers and industry operators should monitor the European Commission for final authorization updates following this scientific opinion.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest safety standards in Nutrition.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Foodmate.
Live Poll
Do you trust scientific conclusions regarding the safety of chemical additives in livestock feed?
