Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from July 22, 2026, to August 24, 2026
About the consultation
We were seeking comments on the proposed new single ingredient feed (SIF) description for Quillaja saponaria wood powder.
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 approval of a new SIF: Quillaja saponaria wood powder.
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 support the safety and efficacy of Quillaja saponaria wood powder for its intended purpose as a component of odour control agents in the complete feed for poultry and swine.
Therefore, we recommend that Quillaja saponaria wood powder be approved as a new SIF and added to the CFIT.
Proposed SIF description
We intend to add Quillaja saponaria wood powder under subclass 6.14 (Odour control ingredients) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 2 of the CFIT with the following description:
Quillaja saponaria wood powder
is a product obtained from wood of Quillaja saponaria Molina trees, which is chipped, crushed, ground and dried into a powder.
It shall contain not less than 3.5% total saponins and not more than 5% total saponins on a dry matter basis.
This ingredient is approved for use as a component of odour control agents in an amount not to exceed 100 g/tonne (100 mg/kg) of the complete feed for poultry and swine.
To address worker safety concerns, it shall be labelled with the following statement:
"This ingredient may cause eye, skin and respiratory irritation and/or sensitization. Appropriate protective equipment must be worn during handling. / Cet ingrédient peut causer une irritation et/ou une sensibilisation des yeux, de la peau et des voies respiratoires. Un équipement de protection approprié doit être porté lors de la manipulation".
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent total saponins, maximum percent total saponins, and maximum percent moisture.
An ingredient number will be assigned at the time this new SIF description is added to the CFIT.
Additional information
Quillaja saponaria wood powder will be placed into part 2 of the CFIT due to the variability in the raw materials (wood or limbs of Quillaja saponaria Molina trees), and the manufacturing process which may impact the content of saponins and the content of other active components.
Currently, a similar SIF, Quillaja saponaria powder (2-619-013), is approved for use as a component of gut modifier products in subclass 6.19.6 (Gut modifier ingredients - Other) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 2 of the CFIT. The manufacturing process of the Quillaja saponaria powder includes the water extract of the chips of limbs and branches of Quillaja saponaria trees, which has been filtered, heated and concentrated. The concentrated extract is mixed with chips of limbs and branches of Quillaja saponaria trees, dried and then pulverized into a powder. However, the manufacturing process of the Quillaja saponaria wood powder is from the wood of the Quillaja saponaria Molina trees which has been chipped, crushed, ground and dried into a powder form.
Therefore, a new description for Quillaja saponaria wood powder is being proposed to differentiate from Quillaja saponaria powder (2-619-013).
The purpose of Quillaja saponaria wood powder is to contribute to the reduction of ammonia emissions in poultry and swine barns. Therefore, this new SIF is being approved for use as a component of odour control agents in an amount not to exceed 100 g/tonne of the complete feed for poultry and swine.
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
All comments from industry, governments, the public or other organizations or individuals are welcome.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of Quillaja saponaria wood powder and issue the approval to the applicant.
If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information.
This SIF 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