Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of L-carnitine as a feed additive for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by EUROPE-ASIA Import Export GmbH

L-Carnitine has a key role in the metabolism of fatty acids as a ‘substrate’ for the reversible acetylation of coenzyme A and as a carrier for the transport of long chain fatty acids from cytosol across the inner mitochondrial membrane. L-Carnitine administered via feed or water for drinking is considered safe for the target species. The additive appears to have a wide margin of safety (> 10) at the levels typically used (10–50 mg/kg feed). Very little information is available on the toxicology of L-carnitine. Nevertheless, based on residue data obtained from multi-fold doses of the typical use levels, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that typical supplementation of feed with L-carnitine would not substantially increase human exposure to carnitine from food of animal origin. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel considers that the use of L-carnitine as an additive in animal nutrition is safe for the consumer. No data were provided to address user safety. In the absence of data, L-carnitine should be considered as potentially irritant to skin and eye, and as a potential skin sensitiser and inhalatory toxicant. The use of L-carnitine in animal nutrition is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. L-Carnitine was regarded as an effective source of L-carnitine in all animal species.