(1)

Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the grounds and procedures for granting such an authorisation.

(2)

In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, an application was submitted for the authorisation of capsaicin. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(3)

The application concerns the authorisation of capsaicin as a feed additive for all animal species, requesting that additive to be classified in the category ‘sensory additives’ and in the functional group ‘flavouring compounds’.

(4)

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 18 March 2025 (2) that, under the proposed conditions of use, capsaicin is safe for all animal species, consumers and the environment. It also concluded that capsaicin is a respiratory and skin irritant and is assumed to be an eye irritant. Capsaicin is not dermal sensitiser. Finally, any exposure to capsaicin to users is considered a risk. The Authority further concluded that since capsaicin is recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of its efficacy is considered necessary. The Authority did not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. The Authority also verified the report on the method of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

(5)

In view of the above, the Commission considers that capsaicin satisfies the conditions, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003. Accordingly, the use of that additive should be authorised for all animal species. Capsaicin is an additive that has zootechnical and medicinal effects, such as positive effects in performance or protection against certain pathogens. In order to prevent the use of doses of the additive which could potentially lead to such zootechnical or medicinal effects on animals, it is necessary to establish a maximum content for capsaicin in feed. In addition, the Commission considers that appropriate protective measures should be taken to prevent adverse effects on the health of the users of the additive.

(6)

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,