Safety of L-threonine produced by fermentation using Escherichia coli CGMCC 3703, for all animal species based on a dossier submitted by GBT Europe GmbH

L-Threonine, technically pure, is a feed additive produced by fermentation using a genetically modified strain of Escherichia coli. The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) issued an opinion on the safety and efficacy of the product, in which it could not conclude on the safety of this additive for target animals, consumer, user and the environment, due to insufficient characterisation of the genetic modification. The European Commission asked EFSA to deliver an opinion on the safety of L-threonine, technically pure, as a nutritional additive for all animal species based on additional data submitted by the applicant. Neither the production strain nor its recombinant genes are present in the final product. Therefore, the FEEDAP Panel concludes that L-threonine produced using E. coli CGMCC 3703 does not raise any safety concern for the target species, consumer, user and the environment with regard to the genetic modification of the production strain. The FEEDAP Panel reiterated their concerns on the safety of amino acids, including L-threonine, for target species when administered simultaneously via water for drinking due to amino acid imbalances. As the estimated maximum exposure to endotoxins by inhalation was below the provisional occupational exposure limit, no risk from the exposure to endotoxins for people handling the additive is expected.