News | Reading Time 4 minutes

Probiotic yeast LEVUCELL SB gets the green light in Europe for use in turkeys

Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079 remains the only feed additive authorized in the European Union for food safety applications

We are proud to announce our live yeast probiotic strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae boulardii CNCM I-1079, LEVUCELL SB, is now authorized in the European Union (EU) as a zootechnical feed additive for turkeys and minor poultry species for meat production for the reduction of Salmonella contamination on carcasses¹. Together with chicken, turkey represents an important source of foodborne pathogens. The strain S. c. boulardii CNCM I-1079, which was the first and only feed additive authorized in the EU with a food safety application in 2017², can now be used in all poultry species for meat production.

Important food safety issue

Poultry meat represents a food source often associated with potential pathogens. According to the 2017 EFSA survey on zoonosis, close to 32% of turkey meat samples (n=1,000 samples from 10 member states) and 37% of broiler meat samples were contaminated with Campylobacter. Salmonella positive samples represented 4.2% of turkey meat (n= 4,000 samples), and 4.9% of the broilers samples.³

A disruptive approach that fits within “one health”

This innovative application of a probiotic feed additive is based on a solid understanding of the mode of action of S. c. boulardii CNCM I-1079 and its beneficial effects in the digestive tract, in particular its unique properties supporting a balanced intestinal microbiota and reinforcing natural defenses.

“In the global context of fighting antimicrobial resistance in the EU,⁴ the reduction of antimicrobial usage in livestock production is a key target while increased pressure is put on food safety and food quality. Salmonellosis is one of the major foodborne diseases facing the poultry industry worldwide. Salmonella control is a multi-factorial issue that concerns the entire production chain from farm to fork. Having a probiotic feed additive that is also recognized to help reduce the risk of Salmonella carcass contamination is an opportunity for the whole food chain,” commented Jean-Baptiste Soula, Technical Support, Poultry, Lallemand Animal Nutrition.

A probiotic yeast to help answer sanitary challenges on turkey farms

The demonstrated benefit of S. c. boulardii CNCM I-1079 on poultry carcass contamination is a visible effect of the action of the probiotic. LEVUCELL SB benefits the gut microbiota balance, which is a key player in the bird’s digestive and immune physiological functions. Beyond the positive impact on carcass contamination, LEVUCELL SB also helps improve the farm’s performance and reduces the risk of digestive disorders caused by E.coli, Clostridium perfringens or other agents responsible for non-specific enteritis (Delpont et al., 2015; Mathis et al., 2014). S. c. boulardii is known to reinforce epithelial tight junctions by reducing the bacteria ‘s capacity to adhere to the animal’s epithelial cells (Czerucka et al., 2000). This can improve gut barrier function and help reduce the translocation of undesired bacteria to the mesenteric nodes and blood.

With LEVUCELL SB, the poultry industry has a modern tool to implement stronger prevention procedures from farm to slaughterhouse and throughout the steps of food processing, while ensuring high levels of growth performance.