Transition and Guidelines for Incidental Feed Additive (IFA) Data Review Applications

Incidental feed additives (IFAs) are substances used during feed manufacturing which may become residues in livestock feeds. They have no nutritional or technical function in single ingredient or mixed feeds. In the past, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has registered IFA-type products. There are no sections of the Feeds Act and regulations, which specifically require the approval of IFAs for use during feed manufacturing. However, their misuse could result in the contamination of livestock feeds, thereby creating potential animal or human health risks. Such an action would be considered in violation of section 3(3) of the Feeds Act and sections 19(1)(j) and (k) of the Feeds Regulations.

The CFIA is eliminating IFAs from the registration and renewal process for livestock feeds and has developed the following guidance for the evaluation, on a case-by-case basis, of the acceptability of IFA products voluntarily submitted by manufacturers wishing to supply these products to feed manufacturers. These evaluations, called applications for data review, will be conducted with the intent of assisting feed manufacturers in averting violations of the provisions of Section 3(3) of the Feeds Act and 19(1)(j) and (k) of the Feeds Regulations.

Applications for IFA data reviews will include a product label with directions for use, product formulation, intended purpose in feed manufacturing, information on feed residue concentrations resulting from incidental contact, and information supporting the safety of these residues in livestock feeds.

Letters expressing favourable opinions are called "Letter Of No-Objection (LONO)" will be issued for those IFAs submitted to the CFIA for a data review for which a favourable opinion is concluded after the review. A LONO does not constitute an approval of the product under the Feeds Act and regulations. It is simply an opinion expressed by the CFIA on the acceptability of the product, based on the information available at the time of its evaluation.

There will be no fee for obtaining a LONO for an IFA and a LONO has no expiry date. It is considered valid as long as the composition, the intended use and the labelling content remain as described in the initial data review application. Applicants are responsible for notifying the CFIA of any changes affecting the validity of the no-objection status. The CFIA reserves the right to withdraw the no objection status of any given product should information come available that its use may potentially pose a risk to human health, animal health, or the environment.

Products currently registered that are identified as IFAs will be transitioned to LONOs as their current registrations expire.

Appendix: Related Documents

• RG-1 Chapter 3.30 Guidelines for Incidental Feed Additive (IFA) Data Review Applications
• Options to demonstrate the safe use of incidental feed additives in the production and manufacture of livestock feeds