Scientific Opinion on the safety and efficacy of tannic acid when used as feed flavouring for all animal species

Tannic acid is a synonym for hydrolysable tannins, which are widely distributed in nature. The use of tannic acid as a feed additive up to 15 mg/kg feed is safe for all animal species. The use of tannic acid as a feed additive under the proposed conditions of use presents no safety risk to consumers. In the absence of data, it would be prudent to regard the additive as potentially hazardous to workers by exposure to the skin, eyes and mucous membranes or by inhalation exposure. Tannic acid is naturally present in many plant species. The use of tannic acid as a feed additive is considered safe for the environment. Tannic acid is recognised as a food flavouring agent and is included in the European Union list of food flavourings. As its function in feed is essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary. (C) European Food Safety Authority, 2014