Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of sodium nitrite for pigs, bovines, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses (ADDCON Europe GmbH).

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of sodium nitrite when used as a technological additive (functional group: silage additives) to improve the ensiling characteristics of all types of fresh plant material for pigs, bovines, poultry, sheep, goats, rabbits and horses, up to a maximum concentration of 900 mg sodium nitrite/kg fresh matter. The additive is specified to be used only in the form of premixtures. Based on the data provided, the Panel concluded that, since nitrite is a normal constituent of silage and the use of the additive would not result in a substantial change in the exposure of animals, sodium nitrite as a silage additive is considered safe for the target species, consumers and the environment. Regarding user safety, sodium nitrite should be considered an eye irritant. This conclusion would apply, in principle, to any preparation/premixture containing the additive. No conclusion could be drawn on the potential of sodium nitrite to be a skin irritant or skin sensitiser. In the absence of data, the Panel could not conclude on the efficacy of sodium nitrite alone as a silage additive. The use of sodium nitrite in combination with other substances has the potential to improve the production of silage made from all types of fresh plant material by enhancing the preservation of nutrients and to improve the aerobic stability of silage made from easy-to-ensile fresh plant materials.