Lactic acid - 1a270, Calcium lactate 1a327

Upon the recent publication of new ring-trial validated methods EN 17294 and EN 17298 for the analysis of organic acids in feed additives, premixtures, feed materials, compound feed and water, the EURL, under the frame of article 5 of Regulation (EC) No 378/2005, considered appropriate to perform a new evaluation of the methods of analysis for official control of lactic acid and calcium lactate in the feed additives, premixtures, feedingstuffs and water, in the frame of the above-mentioned feed additive dossier. In this line, aiming to recommend the available analytical methods complying with the highest requirements as stated in Annex II of Regulation (EC) No 429/2008, the EURL also updates in this amendment the relevant methods for calcium. 

For the determination of lactic acid and calcium lactate (as total lactic acid) in the feed additives, premixtures, feedingstuffs and water the EURL evaluated ring-trial validated EN 17294 method based on ion chromatography coupled to conductivity detection (IC-CD). This method is designed for the determination of formic, lactic, propionic, citric, fumaric, malic and acetic acids and their salts (as total individual acids) in feed additives, premixtures, feed materials, compound feed and water.

Based on the performance characteristics presented and the scope of the method in terms of matrices, the EURL recommends for official control the ring-trial validated EN 17294 method based on ion chromatography coupled to conductivity detection (IC-CD) for the determination of lactic acid and calcium lactate (as total lactic acid) in the feed additives, premixtures, feedingstuffs and water.

In addition, in the frame of a similar organic acid dossier, the EURL has evaluated and recommended for official control for the determination of total calcium in the feed additive the two ring-trial validated methods, namely (i) EN ISO 6869 based on atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and (ii) EN15510 based on inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). These recommendations are also valid in the frame of this addendum.

Recommended Method

as of:

- Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/415

For the determination of lactic acid and sodium lactate in feed additives, premixtures and feedingstuffs:

Ion Chromatography with Conductivity Detection, IC-CD (EN 17294)

For the determination of calcium in the feed additive:

—EN ISO 6869: atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or

— EN 15510: inductively coupled plasma- atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES)