The Quality of Sodium Bicarbonate for Feed Use: What European Regulations Say

SODIUM BICARBONATE AS A FEED MATERIAL

Let us clarify the European legislation and quality requirements related to sodium bicarbonate for zootechnical use, with the aim of providing useful references that help increase the level of safety throughout the supply chain.

THE LEGISLATION

Sodium bicarbonate is a feed material in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 68/2013 and subsequent amendments. It is produced by applying HACCP methodology assessment criteria to the production process, as established by Regulation (EC) No. 183/2005 on feed hygiene, and it complies with European Directive 2002/32/EC concerning undesirable substances in animal feed.

For commercialization and therefore for placing on the market, compliance with European Regulation (EC) No. 767/2009 is required. This regulation provides very specific guidance regarding the labelling, packaging, and presentation of feed materials and compound feeds intended for animal nutrition.

Mandatory Label Information

Mandatory information must be provided at least in the official language of the country where the product is marketed—therefore, in Italy, in Italian. In the case of sodium bicarbonate, this information must include:

• The wording “feed material”

• The name or business name and address of the feed business operator responsible for labelling

• The designation of the feed material

• The sodium content

• The content of hydrochloric acid (HCl) insoluble ash, if > 10%

If the feed material is marketed in bulk, the mandatory information must be stated on the accompanying document.

Characteristics of BICAR®Z

Being able to recognize the characteristics of the different products available on the market is essential in order to make the best choice.

BICAR®Z Solvay stands out due to a number of features:

• It is produced by double crystallization, ensuring a minimum sodium bicarbonate content of ≥ 99%

• Its extremely high purity helps prevent, among other things, overdosing and subsequent treatment costs

• It has a sodium content of ≥ 27%

• It is FSSC 22000 and GMP+ certified

Bags, big bags, and transport documents bearing the wording “food additive,” “food grade,” or similar terms instead of “feed material” are not considered compliant. Moreover, the use of products that do not comply with current regulations may result in sanctions, along with potential fiscal issues and related reputational damage.