Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 provides for the authorisation of additives for use in animal nutrition and for the grounds and procedures for granting such authorisation.

In accordance with Article 7 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 an application was submitted for the authorisation of L-glutamine produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum NITE BP-02524 as a feed additive for all animal species. That application was accompanied by the particulars and documents required under Article 7(3) of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

The application concerns the authorisation of L-glutamine produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum NITE BP-02524 as a feed additive for all animal species to be classified in the additive category ‘nutritional additives’, functional group ‘amino acids, their salts and analogues’, and in the additive category ‘sensory additives’, functional group ‘flavouring compounds’.

The European Food Safety Authority (‘the Authority’) concluded in its opinion of 18 March 20202 that, under the proposed conditions of use, L-glutamine produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum NITE BP-02524 does not have an adverse effect on animal health, human health or the environment. The Authority also concluded that the additive is an efficacious source of glutamine for all animal species and that for the supplemental L-glutamine to be fully efficacious in ruminants, it should be protected against degradation in the rumen.

As regards the use as flavouring, the Authority states that no further demonstration of efficacy is necessary when used at the recommended dose. The use of L-glutamine as flavouring compound is not authorised in water for drinking. At the recommended dose, L-glutamine as a flavouring compound is unlikely to pose any concern. The fact that the use of the L-glutamine is not authorised as flavouring in water for drinking does not preclude its use in compound feed which is administered via water. Restrictions and conditions should be provided for to allow a better control of L-glutamine as a flavouring compound. For L-glutamine, recommended contents should be indicated on the label of the additive. Where such contents are exceeded, certain information should be indicated on the label of premixtures.

The Authority does not consider that there is a need for specific requirements of post-market monitoring. It also verified the reports on the method of analysis of the feed additive in feed submitted by the Reference Laboratory set up by Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003.

The assessment of L-glutamine produced by Corynebacterium glutamicum NITE BP-02524 shows that the conditions for authorisation, as provided for in Article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003, are satisfied. Accordingly, the use of this additive should be authorised as specified in the Annex to this Regulation.

The measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed,