EU endorses ingredient beneficial for breeding hens

DSM Nutritional Products’ Carophyll Red 10%, a key ingredient in the innovative MaxiChick, has been officially recognised as a zootechnical additive by the European Commission.

As the first ever European approval for a canthaxanthin product, this authorisation validates the beneficial effects of the carotenoid supplement on the reproductive performance of breeding hens.

Used successfully as a pigmenting feed for over 40 years, this approval marks a significant milestone in recognising the hatchability and fertility benefits of canthaxanthin. DSM’s leadership in this field is substantiated by the fact that the zootechnical use of canthaxanthin is exclusive to Carophyll Red 10%.

Preceded by a positive scientific assessment from the European Food Safety Authority and the granting of a European patent in 2013, this European holder-specific endorsement is the successful end result of DSM’s comprehensive R&D and registration process.

Catherine Hamelin, European Category Manager Carotenoids at DSM, comments: “Canthaxanthin is well recognized to fulfil a number of important biological functions in wild and domestic birds during embryo development. Now officially recognized as a zootechnical additive, Carophyll Red 10% delivers clear benefits to customers in enhancing the reproductive performance of their breeding hens, particularly in conjunction with vitamin D3. This is particularly significant, as our MaxiChick solution has been demonstrated in scientific studies and field tests to produce three more chicks per housed hen and deliver a ROI of four to one.”