Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine hydrochloride) as a feed additive for all animal species EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP)

Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a form of vitamin B-6, an essential micronutrient. Oral administration routes of pyridoxine hydrochloride via feed or water are considered as bioequivalent. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is considered to be safe for all animal species at the commercial use levels. The FEEDAP Panel concludes that the use of pyridoxine hydrochloride as a nutritional additive does not give rise to concern for consumers. Pyridoxine hydrochloride is not an irritant to skin and eyes; it is not a skin sensitizer. The Panel notes that pyridoxine hydrochloride may cause photosensitisation. The pyridoxine hydrochloride considered in this opinion has a high dusting potential. A calculation of exposure by inhalation for persons handling the substance in a premixture factory resulted in an intake of 3.1 mg/person/day. Together with exposure by food sources, total exposure would not exceed 60 % of the UL. In the absence of inhalation toxicity studies, adverse effects in the respiratory tract cannot be fully excluded. Pyridoxine occurs widely in nature (in most plant feed materials). Its use in animal nutrition is not expected to substantially increase the concentration in the environment. Therefore, a risk for the environment resulting from the use of pyridoxine in animal nutrition is not foreseen. Due to the long history of use and its established nutritional role in domestic animals, pyridoxine hydrochloride is regarded as an effective source of vitamin B-6. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2011