Consumer health risk assessment for feed additives is based on the estimated human exposure to the
additive that may occur in livestock edible tissues compared to its hazard.We present an approach using
alternative methods for consumer health risk assessment. The aim was to use the fewest possible
number of animals to estimate its hazard and human exposure without jeopardizing the safety upon use.
As an example we selected the feed flavoring substance piperine and applied in silico modeling for
residue estimation, results from literature surveys, and Read-Across to assess metabolism in different
species. Results were compared to experimental in vitro metabolism data in rat and chicken, and to
quantitative analysis of residues' levels from the in vivo situation in livestock. In silico residue modeling
showed to be a worst case: the modeled residual levels were considerably higher than the measured
residual levels. The in vitro evaluation of livestock versus rodent metabolism revealed no major differences
in metabolism between the species.We successfully performed a consumer health risk assessment
without performing additional animal experiments. As shown, the use and combination of different
alternative methods supports animal welfare consideration and provides future perspective to reducing
the number of animals.