Safety and efficacy of Bonvital (Enterococcus faeciumDSM 7134) as a feed additive for laying hens

Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of Bonvital^® for laying hens. Bonvital^® is an additive containing viable cells of Enterococcus faeciumDSM 7134 marketed in two forms, a granular and a powder form, both with a guaranteed minimum concentration of E. faeciumDSM 7134 of 1.0 × 10¹⁰ colony forming units (CFU)/g additive. Bonvital^® in either form is intended for use in feed for laying hens at the minimum concentration of 1.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg complete feed and at the maximum concentration of 1.0 × 10¹⁰ CFU/kg feedingstuffs. Bonvital powder^® is also proposed for use in water for drinking at the minimum concentration of 5.0 × 10⁸ CFU/L. The use of Bonvital^® in animal nutrition is considered safe for the target animals. The results of a tolerance trial in which hens were fed the additive at 10‐fold the maximum recommended dose support this conclusion. Delivery of comparable doses of the additive via water for drinking is considered as safe for laying hens. Bonvital^® at the proposed conditions of use is safe for consumers of products derived from animals fed the additive and for the environment. Bonvital^® is not a dermal or ocular irritant but a potential dermal and respiratory sensitiser. Bonvital^® has the potential to be efficacious in improving the hen's performance when supplemented at 1.0 × 10⁹ CFU/kg feed or 5.0 × 10⁸ CFU/L water for drinking.