Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from December 19, 2025, to January 19, 2026
About the consultation
We were seeking comments on the following amended single ingredient feed (SIF) description for DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester.
Background
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 require a proponent to submit a pre-market application for new feed ingredients or SIFs that have been modified such that they differ from an approved SIF, or SIFs that are for a new purpose. We evaluate the information in the application to establish that the SIF is safe, effective and labelled correctly.
Approved SIFs are listed and described in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table (CFIT), which is incorporated by reference (IBR) into the Feeds Regulations, 2024. Our Incorporation by Reference Policy requires that a consultation be conducted before changes to IBR documents are made. Refer to Documents incorporated by reference under the Feeds Regulations, 2024 for additional information.
About the evaluation
Our Animal Feed Program (AFP) has completed a detailed evaluation of an application for the amendment of an existing SIF description: DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester.
The evaluation considered information related to:
- the safety of feeding this SIF to livestock with respect to animal health
- the safety of foods derived from livestock that eat this SIF
- the safety of workers/bystanders exposed to this SIF
- environmental safety
- the fit-for-purpose and efficacy of this SIF for the intended livestock species
The results of our evaluation of available scientific data supports the safety and efficacy of DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester and its intended purpose as a source of methionine activity in diets for lactating dairy cattle, lactating dairy sheep, and lactating dairy goats.
Therefore, we recommend that the amended description for DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester be approved and the amended SIF description replace the current SIF description in the CFIT, accordingly.
Amended SIF description
We intend to amend the existing SIF description for DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester under subclass 5.1.2 (Amino acids excluding those from fermentation processes) of class 5 (Nutritional ingredients) in part 2 of the CFIT. The amended description expands the approved use (a source of methionine activity) in diets for lactating dairy sheep, and lactating dairy goats.
The amended description is:
2-501-001 DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester (or 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid isopropyl ester or isopropyl ester of DL-methionine hydroxy analogue or MHBi or MHAi)
is the product resulting from the esterification of DL-methionine hydroxy analogue with isopropanol. It contains a minimum of 90% racemic 2-hydroxy-4-methylthiobutanoic acid isopropyl ester.
This ingredient is approved for use as a source of methionine activity in diets for lactating dairy cattle, lactating dairy sheep, and lactating dairy goats.
It shall be labelled with following statements:
"DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester is approved for use as a source of methionine activity in diets for lactating dairy cattle in an amount not to exceed 27 grams per head per day."
"DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester is approved for use as a source of methionine activity in diets for lactating dairy sheep and lactating dairy goats in an amount not to exceed 11 grams per head per day."
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester, and minimum percent methionine equivalence.
Additional information
An application was submitted to our AFP to expand the list of livestock species for which DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester is approved for use as a source of methionine activity. The application was a significant change to add lactating dairy sheep and lactating dairy goats to the already approved species, lactating dairy cattle. Based on the information available, we have determined that this SIF can be used as a source of methionine activity in the diets for lactating dairy cattle, lactating dairy sheep, and lactating dairy goats. The maximum inclusion rate for this SIF has not changed for lactating dairy cattle, and an inclusion rate for lactating dairy sheep and lactating dairy goats has been added to the amended description.
The SIF description will remain in part 2 of the CFIT due to variations in the manufacturing process which may impact the composition/characteristics of the final SIF product as well as impact the efficacy as a source of methionine activity for the intended ruminants.
This SIF is imported as a dried and ground powder.
Who was the focus of this consultation
Animal feed stakeholders, including:
- suppliers of feed ingredients
- commercial feed manufacturers
- feed importers, distributors and retailers
- industry associations
- other government departments
- international trading partners
- veterinarians
Next steps
We will review all of the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of the amended description for DL-methionine hydroxy analogue isopropyl ester and issue the approval to the applicant.
If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information and may, subject to the commenters' consent, forward the comments to the applicant for their response.
This amended SIF description will be added to the CFIT at the next update.
Related information
Contact us
Animal Feed Program (AFP)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca