Current status: Open
Opened on April 27, 2026, and closes on May 27, 2026.
About the consultation
We are seeking comments on the following amended single ingredient feed (SIF) description for calcium formate.
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: calcium formate.
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 and 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 calcium formate and its intended purpose as a component of gut modifier products for poultry and swine.
Therefore, we recommend that the amended description for calcium formate 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 calcium formate (1-619-012) under subclass 6.19 (Gut modifier ingredients) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT. The amendment to this description expands the approved use (as a component of gut modifier products) to include swine.
The amended description is:
1-619-012 Calcium formate
is the calcium salt of formic acid, generally expressed as Ca(COOH)2, and having the CAS# 544-17-2.
This ingredient is approved for use as a component of gut modifier products for poultry and swine.
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent calcium, and minimum percent calcium formate.
Additional information
An application was submitted to our AFP to expand the list of livestock species for which calcium formate is approved, from poultry only to poultry and swine. Based on the information available, we have determined that this SIF can be used as a component of gut modifier products for poultry and swine.
Calcium formate is a well-defined chemical substance with no source specific concerns and will remain listed in part 1 of the CFIT.
It is also approved as a pH adjuster for livestock feeds under subclass 6.3 with ingredient number 1-603-002.
Who is 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
All comments are welcome from industry, governments, the public, or other organizations or individuals.
How to participate
We are seeking feedback on the amended description for calcium formate.
Stakeholders are encouraged to share comments if there are:
- concerns about the accuracy of the SIF description
- any scientific data that should be considered before the SIF is amended
Our evaluators will review scientific questions or information for consideration in the evaluation. They will also evaluate non-scientific input and explore appropriate ways of addressing it.
Comments can be sent by email to the AFP at cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca. Please use "calcium formate" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by May 27, 2026, 30 days from the date of this posting.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of the amended description for calcium formate and issue the approval to the applicant.
If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information.
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