Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of patchouli oil from the leaves of Pogostemon cablin Benth. (patchouli oil) when used as a sensory additive in feed and in water for drinking for all animal species. The EFSA Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the additive under assessment is safe up to the maximum use level in complete feed of 7.5 mg/kg for chickens for fattening, laying hens, turkeys for fattening, pigs for fattening, horses, salmonids, shrimps, rabbits, dogs, cats and ornamental fish, 24 mg/kg for piglets, 35 mg/kg for sows, 34 mg/kg for dairy cows, 60 mg/kg for veal calves (milk replacer) and 53 mg/kg for cattle for fattening, sheep and goats. These conclusions were extrapolated to other physiologically related minor species. For any other species, the additive is safe at 7.5 mg/kg complete feed. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use level in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount that is considered safe when consumed via feed. No concerns for consumers were identified following the use of patchouli oil up to the highest proposed use level in feed. Regarding user safety, the essential oil under assessment should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and respiratory sensitiser. The use of the additive in animal feed under the proposed conditions is not expected to pose a risk to the environment. Since the leaves of P. cablin and its preparations were recognised to flavour food and its function in feed would be essentially the same as that in food, no further demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.
