Scientific Opinion on safety and efficacy of choline chloride as a feed additive for all animal species

摘要

Choline contributes to vital biological functions, including synthesis of phospholipids. It is a precursor of intracellular messenger molecules and of acetylcholine and a methyl group donor. The use levels of choline chloride supplementation to commercial feeds are considered safe for the target animals. However, the margin of safety compared to the use level in poultry and pigs is small. A maximum safe content in feed could not be established because of the limited and inconsistent dataset available and uncertainties arising from differences in diet composition. The simultaneous use of supplemental choline in feed and in water for drinking should be avoided. The use of choline chloride as a nutritional additive does not give rise to concern for consumers. The risk of choline chloride preparations causing inhalation toxicity of exposed workers is regarded as low, as the particles from the formulations applied are unlikely to reach the alveoli, and the exposure of the upper respiratory tract to choline chloride caused no adverse effect. Aqueous solutions of up to 70 % choline chloride are non‐irritant to skin and eyes. There is no evidence to indicate that more concentrated and solid choline chloride formulations would be irritant, although in the absence of studies this possibility cannot be entirely excluded. The possibility that occupational exposure to choline chloride might cause skin sensitisation cannot be discounted. The use of choline chloride in animal nutrition is not expected to substantially increase the concentration in the environment; consequently, no risk for the environment is foreseen. Due to its established nutritional role in domestic animals, choline chloride is regarded as an effective source of choline.