Safety and efficacy of a feed additive consisting of Lactobacillus acidophilusCNCM I-3231, Ligilactobacillus salivariusCNCM I-3233, Lacticaseibacillus paracaseiCNCM I-4901, Bifidobacterium longumCNCM I-3227 and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactisCNCM I-3993 (FlorEquilibre® Chat) for cats (WAMINE SAS).
- 2026-04
- EFSA journal. European Food Safety Authority 24(4)
- Roberto Edoardo Villa
- Giovanna Azimonti
- Eleftherios Bonos
- Henrik Christensen
- Mojca Durjava
- Birgit Dusemund
- Ronette Gehring
- Boet Glandorf
- Maryline Kouba
- Marta López-Alonso
- Francesca Marcon
- Carlo Nebbia
- Alena Pechová
- Miguel Prieto-Maradona
- Katerina Theodoridou
- Giovanna Martelli
- Secundino López-Puente
- Maria Saarela
- Montserrat Anguita
- Jaume Galobart
- Matteo L Innocenti
- Jordi Ortuño
- Sofia Sandalli
- Rosella Brozzi
- PubMed: 41960172
- DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.10030
Study Design
- Type
- Review
- Population
- cats
- Methods
- EFSA scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of FlorEquilibre® Chat as a zootechnical additive (functional groups: gut flora stabilisers) based on viable cells of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3993, Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-3231, Ligilactobacillus salivarius CNCM I-3233, Bifidobacterium longum CNCM I-3227 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CNCM I-4901
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of FlorEquilibre® Chat when used as a zootechnical additive (functional groups: gut flora stabilisers) for cats. The product under assessment is based on viable cells of Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3993, Lactobacillus acidophilus CNCM I-3231, Ligilactobacillus salivarius CNCM I-3233, Bifidobacterium longum CNCM I-3227 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CNCM I-4901. All five strains were suitable for the qualified presumption of safety (QPS) approach to safety assessment. The identity of the strains was established, and no acquired antimicrobial resistance genes were detected, except in B. animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3993. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concluded that the use of the strains, except for CNCM I-3993, is presumed safe for the target species and the environment. The Panel also concluded that the use of B. animalis subsp. lactis CNCM I-3993 represents a safety concern for the target species, the users and the environment because the strain harbours an acquired antimicrobial resistance gene (tet(W)). Therefore, FlorEquilibre® Chat is considered not safe for the target species, users and the environment. Regarding user safety, FlorEquilibre® Chat is an eye and skin irritant, and a skin and respiratory sensitiser and exposure via any route is considered a risk. Based on the data provided, the Panel cannot conclude on the efficacy of the additive for cats.
Research Insights
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