EU approves use of vitamin D metabolite for salmonid feed
A nutritional additive designed to ensure that optimal levels of vitamin D3 are provided to farmed animals and fish through their diets has received European Union authorisation for use in salmonids.
Hy-D, produced by Swiss-Dutch company DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health, has been authorised in the EU for pigs, poultry and ruminants since last year, and that authorisation has now been extended to salmonids, other fish species, and all other animal species, from December 31.
DSM-Firmenich said Hy-D, a vitamin D3 metabolite, supports optimal levels of 25-OH-D3, providing all-round benefits in animal health and welfare, performance and productivity, and overall food quality. It said proper usage of Hy-D can positively impact animal wellbeing and productivity.
A significant milestone
“This new EU authorisation for Hy-D is a significant milestone, underscoring its global relevance and reliability as a source of vitamin D for aquaculture and all animal species,” said Emrah Mazi, head of special nutrients at DSM-Firmenich Animal Nutrition and Health. “We are thrilled about the opportunities this brings for our customers across Europe and beyond, empowering them to advance animal health and performance with confidence.”
Dr Benedict Standen, head of marketing for aquaculture at the company, said the authorisation “represents a first-of-its-kind opportunity to bring real benefits to European aquaculture, which have already been seen in commercial aquaculture operations around the world”.
“These include improvements in growth, immunity and enhanced product quality,” added Standen.
Hy-D is 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25-OH-D3) produced from Saccharomyces cerevisiae CBS 146008. DSM-Firmenich said the authorisation was the result of a 25-year journey to bring the benefits of Hy-D to all species in the European Union.
