Feed additive
Feed additives are added to a feed mixture or straight feed in order to achieve a certain effect on the animal or on the feed. For example, some ornamental fish foods contain carotenoids and crustaceans in order to add color to certain fish species.
In detail, the substances can be assigned to the following groups:
- amino acids
- Antioxidants
- Flavorings
- Carotenoids
- Emulsifiers
- Enzymes
- Hydroxy analogue of methionine ( amino group of methionine replaced by a hydroxy group )
- Preservatives and acidulants
- Coccidiostats
- Probiotics
- Trace elements
- Vitamins
Which substance belongs to which group and what exactly an additive and what an active ingredient is is regulated by law in the European Union and its member countries.