Feed additive

A feed additive is a food supplements for farm animals that cannot get enough nutrients from regular meals that the farmers provide and include vitamins, amino acids, fatty acids, and minerals. In some cases if an animal does not have some specific nutrition in its diet it may not grow properly. The nutritional values of animal feeds are influenced not only by their nutrient content, but also by many other factors. These include feed presentation, hygiene, digestibility, and effect on intestinal health. Even with all of the benefits of higher quality feed, most of a farm animal's diet still consists of maize, wheat and soybean meal because of the higher costs of quality feed.

According to EU Regulation 1831/2003, all feed additives to be placed on the market within the European Union have to undergo a thorough approval process. Products seeking approval for their use as feed additives are evaluated by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), the European Reference Laboratory, the European Commission and the member states. Evaluation criteria include safety for the animals, consumers and factory workers. For additives claiming an increase in zootechnical performance, sufficient empirical data must be presented to confirm those claims.

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