Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of a tincture derived from the leaves of Urtica urens L. (dwarf nettle tincture) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the leaves of Urtica urens L. (dwarf nettle tincture) when used as a sensory additive in feed and/or in water for drinking for all animal species. The additive under assessment is a water/ethanol (■■■■■) tincture specified to have a dry matter content of 0.50%-0.80% (w/w) and to contain 0.9-1.8 mg/L p-coumaric acid. The product contains on average 0.0076% (w/w) total polyphenols. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that dwarf nettle tincture is safe up to the maximum proposed use levels of 600 mg/kg complete feed for horses and 50 mg/kg complete feed for the other animal species. The FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of the tincture in water for drinking alone or in combination with its use in feed is safe provided that the daily amount resulting from the exposure via feed alone at the maximum use level is not exceeded. No safety concern would arise for the consumer and the environment from the use of dwarf nettle tincture up to the maximum proposed use levels in feed. The additive under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Exposure of users by any route is considered a risk. There is no evidence that dwarf nettle tincture would impart flavour to a food or feed matrix. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel cannot conclude on the efficacy of the tincture.