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. 2012 Jul 23;10(7):2788. doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2788

Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by Lonza Benelux BV

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)
PMCID: PMC13093084  PMID: 42016110

Abstract

The term ‘niacin’ is used as a generic description of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide with pyridine as the basic structure. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide function mainly as precursors of the co‐enzymes NAD and NADP. Thus, nicotinamide has physiologically critical roles in mitochondrial respiration and in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, and amino acids. Oral administration routes of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide via feed or water for drinking were considered bioequivalent. Niacin is safe for the target animals with a margin of safety that is at least ten times the requirements and use levels. The FEEDAP Panel assumes that exposure figures for a population already include the contribution of edible tissues and products of animals fed niacin‐supplemented diets. Information on niacin metabolism and the limited data available on retention in edible tissues and products indicate that supplemental levels in feeds even far higher than the requirements (1–35 mg/kg feed) are highly unlikely to lead the tolerable upper intake level being exceeded. The FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of niacin in animal nutrition is not of safety concern for consumers. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are not irritant to skin, but can cause irritancy to eyes and mucous membranes. They are unlikely to cause skin sensitisation. Workers might be exposed to a respirable dust when handling nicotinic acid, which should be regarded as being potentially harmful to their health. Nicotinamide is considered to be of no concern for inhalation exposure. The use of nicotinic acid and nicotinamide in animal nutrition does not pose a risk to the environment. Nicotinic acid and nicotinamide are regarded as effective sources of niacin in animal nutrition.

Keywords: Nutritional additive, vitamins and provitamins, niacin, nicotinic acid, nicotinamide (niacinamide), safety

EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) ; Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by Lonza Benelux BV. EFSA Journal 2012;10(7):2788. [19 pp.] doi: 10.2903/j.efsa.2012.2788.

Panel members: Gabriele Aquilina, Georges Bories, Andrew Chesson, Pier Sandro Cocconcelli, Joop de Knecht, Noël Albert Dierick, Mikolaj Antoni Gralak, Jürgen Gropp, Ingrid Halle, Christer Hogstrand, the late Reinhard Kroker, Lubomir Leng, Secundino López Puente, Anne‐Katrine Lundebye Haldorsen, Alberto Mantovani, Giovanna Martelli, Miklós Mézes, Derek Renshaw, Maria Saarela, Kristen Sejrsen and Johannes Westendorf

Correspondence: feedap@efsa.europa.eu

Acknowledgement: The Panel wishes to thank the members of the Working Group on water‐soluble Vitamins, including Annette Schuhmacher, for the preparatory work on this scientific opinion.

Adoption date: 14 June 2012

Published date: 23 July 2012

Question number: EFSA‐Q‐2011‐00261

On request from: European Commission

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