Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of an essential oil derived from the leaves of Origanum majorana L. (marjoram oil) for use in all animal species (FEFANA asbl)

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of an essential oil from the leaves of <i>Origanum majorana</i> L. (marjoram oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the use of marjoram oil is very unlikely to induce adverse effects in long-living and reproductive animals and is of no safety concern for short-living animals (species for fattening) when used at the proposed use level of 10 mg/kg complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use of marjoram oil in water for drinking alone or in combination with use in feed should not exceed the daily amount that is considered very unlikely to induce adverse effects in long-living and reproductive animals and of no safety concern for short-living animals (species for fattening) when consumed via feed alone. No safety concerns were identified for the consumer and the environment from the use of the additive in animal feed. Regarding user safety, the essential oil under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes and as dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the essential oil, exposure of unprotected users to estragole, a genotoxic carcinogen, may occur. Exposure of users by any route is considered a risk and should be minimised. Since the leaves of <i>O. majorana</i> and their preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.