2022年12月15日，据欧盟食品安全局（EFSA）消息，应欧盟委员会要求，欧盟动物饲料添加剂和产品（FEEDAP）研究小组就八角果实制成的酊剂（a tincture derived from the fruit of Illicium verum Hook f.）作为所有动物饲料添加剂的安全性和有效性发表科学意见。
经过评估，专家小组得出结论，在动物饲料中使用八角茴香酊作为调味品，预计不会对环境造成危害。由于苦艾果实及其制剂被公认为在食品中提供风味，并且它们在饲料中的功能基本相同，因此认为没有必要证明其功效。部分原文报道如下：
Following a request from the European Commission, EFSA was asked to deliver a scientific opinion on the safety and efficacy of a tincture from the fruit (pericarps and seeds) of Illicium verum Hook f. (star anise tincture) when used as a sensory feed additive for all animal species. The product is a ■■■■■ solution, with a dry matter content of approximately 1.86%. The product contained on average 0.2588% polyphenols (of which 0.0229% were flavonoids, including 0.0036% rutin), anethole (0.018%) and estragole (0.00039%). The Panel on Additives and Products or Substances used in Animal Feed (FEEDAP) concluded that the star anise tincture is safe at the maximum proposed use levels of 200 mg/kg complete feed for horses and 50 mg/kg complete feed for all other animal species. The FEEDAP Panel considered that the use in water for drinking is safe provided that the total daily intake of the additive does not exceed the daily amount which is considered safe when consumed via feed. No safety concern would arise for the consumer from the use of star anise tincture up to the maximum proposed use levels in feed. Star anise tincture should be considered as irritant to skin and eyes, and as a dermal and respiratory sensitiser. When handling the tincture, exposure of unprotected users to estragole cannot be excluded. Therefore, to reduce the risk, the exposure of the users should be minimised. The use of star anise tincture as a flavour in animal feed was not expected to pose a risk for the environment. Since the fruit of I. verum and its preparations are recognised to provide flavour in food and their function in feed would be essentially the same, no demonstration of efficacy was considered necessary.
