Safety and efficacy of natural mixtures of talc (steatite) and chlorite (E 560) as a feed additive for all animal species

Abstract The additive is a natural mixture of talc and chlorite (NTMC) that contains at least 75% of talc and chlorite as main components. The additive is intended for use as a technological additive (functional groups: (i) anticaking agents) in premixtures and feedingstuffs for all animal species at use levels of 1,000–50,000 mg/kg. No safe dietary level of NMTC could be identified for piglets, chickens for fattening and dairy cows. The use of NMTC in animal nutrition is considered not to pose a risk for the consumer of animal tissues and products from animals fed the additive. Talc could cause serious lung disease if repeatedly inhaled in large quantities over a long period. Talc is not irritant to skin and eyes. In the absence of data, no conclusion can be drawn on the skin sensitisation potential of the product. The components of the additive (talc, chlorite, dolomite and magnesite) are ubiquitous in the environment, being natural components of soil. Therefore, it is not expected that its use as a feed additive would adversely affect the environment. The additive NMTC is efficacious as an anticaking agent.