Overview of the proposed changes to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels: Closed consultation

Current status: Closed

This document is part of the consultation on proposed changes to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. This consultation ran from February 7, 2023 to March 9, 2023.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is seeking comments on proposed changes to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels.

About the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels

The Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels is a document that will be incorporated by reference (IBR) in the Feeds Regulations, 2023 and will come into force when the new regulations are published in the Canada Gazette, Part II (CGII).

The Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels contains approved claims that would be allowed on a livestock feed label without requiring mandatory product registration provided that the conditions for the livestock feed and the label are met. It is divided into 3 tables based on the different types of permissible claims;

Table 1: General claims
Table 2: Nutritional claims
Table 3: Specialty feeds claims

If the livestock feed label includes a permissible claim and the conditions for that claim are met, but the livestock feed is not exempt from registration for other reasons, the livestock feed will still require product registration.

Developing the updated table

As part of the process to modernize the Feed Regulations, the CFIA sought feedback on proposed changes to the Feeds Regulations, 1983, in the Canada Gazette, Part I. This included consultation on all 9 proposed incorporated by reference (IBR) documents including the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels.

As a result of the consultation, the CFIA received valuable feedback regarding timing, process and content for the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. This has resulted in a number of changes to reflect modifications to specialty feed claims in table 3, and updates to approved claims, livestock feed conditions and label conditions in table 1 and table 2.

The CFIA is committed to the principles of accessibility, transparency, consistency, reasonableness, and clarity when using IBRs in regulations, as stipulated in the Agency's Incorporation by Reference Policy. Since changes have been made to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels since the last consultation, in accordance with the Incorporation by Reference Policy, the CFIA is consulting on these additional changes. This will allow the most up-to-date version of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels to be published when the new regulations are published in CGII.

Summary

The proposed changes in the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels include:

additional specialty feed claims, including claims for mixtures of specialty feeds, and mixtures of nutritional livestock feeds and specialty feeds
updates to approved claims
amendments to the livestock feed and label conditions

The updated Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels can be found in appendix 1.

Next steps

Following this consultation, the comments received will be reviewed and amendments to the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels will be made as required. The updated version of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels will be published as part of the CGII publication of the Feeds Regulations, 2023. At that time, the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels will come into effect for all stakeholders.

Until the new regulations and the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels come into effect, stakeholders must continue to follow the current Feeds Regulations. Stakeholders may continue to make claims on livestock feed labels by either registering their feed or following the Permissible claims policy for livestock feed.

Contact us

If you have any questions about this consultation, please send an email to the Animal Feed and Veterinary Biologics Division.

Appendix 1: Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels

Table 1 : General claims
Table 2 : Nutritional claims
Table 3 : Specialty feed claims

Table 1 : General claims
Item	Column 1 Type of claim	Column 2 Approved claim(s)	Column 3 Feed conditions	Column 4 Label conditions
1.	Claims highlighting the presence of a single ingredient feed	Contains XX (name of single ingredient feed). For example: contains canola oil. Contains XX (name of single ingredient feed) as a XX (purpose statement). For example: contains canola oil as an energy source.	The livestock feed must contain the named single ingredient feed. The named single ingredient feed must be listed in classes 1 to 5 of the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table.	May indicate the purpose of that single ingredient feed as per the classification in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the label of the registered single ingredient feed.
2.	Transfer of claims	Any approved claim as per the label of a registered single ingredient feed or label of a registered mixed feed.	The complete feed must contain the single ingredient feed or mixed feed in its formulation that is associated with that claim.	The livestock feed name and registration number of the registered single ingredient feed or registered mixed feed must be noted on the label in conjunction with the transferred claim(s).
3.	Claims respecting organic	Organic Contains X percent organic ingredients Canada Organic logo	The livestock feed must meet all of the conditions of part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Refer to Organic products	The label must meet all of the conditions in part 13 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Refer to Organic products
4.	Claims respecting method of production	This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the raised without antibiotics program.	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claims may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. Raised without antibiotics (RWA)
		This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the raised without the use of added hormones program.	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claim may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. Raised without the use of added hormones
		This livestock feed has been manufactured and/or handled in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Pork Certification Program (CRFPCP). This livestock feed has been manufactured and/or handled in accordance with the CRFPCP. Manufactured and/or handled in accordance with the Canadian Ractopamine-Free Pork Certification Program. Manufactured and/or handled in accordance with the CRFPCP.	These claims can only be made on labels for swine feeds.	"Free from" claims are not allowed.
		This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the raised without animal products, animal by-products, animal fat, meat meal, animal meal, and/or bone meal program.^{Table Note 1}	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claims may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. Raised without or fed no animal products animal by-products animal fat meat meal animal meal, and/or bone meal Note: that the term animal includes insects, fish and shellfish.
		This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the raised without the use of medically important antimicrobials (MIAs) program.	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims for RWA claims, but specific for MIAs. The livestock feed must not contain medically-important antimicrobials: those belonging to the categories I, II, and III according to Health Canada's Categorization of Antimicrobial Drugs Based on Importance in Human Medicine	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claims may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. Raised without the use of MIAs
		This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the grain fed program.	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. The claim can only be made on labels for complete feeds, and must meet the minimum percentages of grains or grain by-products allowed in complete feeds for certain livestock species outlined in the policy.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claims may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. Grain fed
		This livestock feed is suitable for use as part of the all vegetable program.	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. Refer to this policy for any exceptions. No single ingredient feed of animal origin is to be used in the manufacture of livestock feed when claiming the livestock feed contains all vegetable or plant-based single ingredient feeds.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. The following claims may only be added to the label if the "Approved claim" also appears on the label. All vegetable (AV)
5.	Claims respecting the absence of single ingredient feeds in the livestock feed	Contains no animal products, animal by-products, animal fat, animal meal, and/or bone meal. 1	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. Refer to this policy for any exceptions. No single ingredient feed of animal origin is to be used in the manufacture of livestock feed when claiming the livestock feed does not contain that single ingredient feed of animal origin.	"Free from" claims are not allowed. Note: that the term animal includes insects, fish and shellfish.
		Contains no added medications	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. No added medications are to be used in the manufacture of livestock feed when claiming the livestock feed contains no added medications.	"Free from" claims are not allowed
		Contains no added antibiotics	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. No added antibiotics are to be used in the manufacture of livestock feed when claiming the livestock feed contains no added antibiotics.	"Free from" claims are not allowed
		Contains no added medically important antimicrobials (MIAs)	The livestock feed must be made in a manner that is consistent with the CFIA Food Program's policy on method of production claims. No added MIAs are to be used in the manufacture of livestock feed when claiming the livestock feed contains no added MIAs.	"Free from" claims are not allowed

Table 2: Nutritional claims
Item	Column 1 Type of claim	Column 2 Approved claim	Column 3 Feed conditions	Column 4 Label conditions
1.	Claims respecting a source of a nutrient (for example, vitamin, mineral, fat, protein, fibre^{Table Note 1})	Source of XX (specific nutrient). For example: Source of protein. Source of copper.	The livestock feed must contain the specific nutrient (for example, protein) at a level that meets at least 25% of the animal's minimum daily requirement, as defined by the National Research Council. The livestock feed must contain a source of the specified nutrient.	A guarantee for the specified nutrient must be included in the guaranteed analysis. Qualifier words are not permitted to be added to the claim. For example: "good"; "high in"; "excellent"; etc.

Table 3: Specialty feed claims
Item	Column 1 Specialty feeds	Column 2 Approved claim(s)	Column 3 Feed conditions	Column 4 Label conditions
1.	Anion/cation balance products	Anion/cation balance product Dietary cation/anion balance (DCAB) product Dietary cation/anion difference (DCAD) product Anionic supplement Contributes to the reduction of the risk of hypocalcaemia in dairy cows.	The livestock feed must contain sources of anions and cations. When used as directed results in reduced dietary cation/anion balance (DCAB). The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	A guarantee for actual percent chloride and actual cation/anion balance expressed in mEq/kg must be included in the guaranteed analysis. The formula used to determine the DCAB must be included on the label. Directions for use must indicate feeding to dry dairy cows during weeks 1 to 4 prepartum. List of ingredients is required on the label.
2.	Anticaking products	Anticaking agent Flowing agent Flow aid Free-flow agent Anticaking of livestock feeds Reduces the caking of livestock feeds Improves the flowability of livestock feeds	The livestock feed may only contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.5 as anticaking ingredients, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for anticaking ingredients listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product results in improved flow or prevents caking of livestock feed. This livestock feed cannot contain flavour ingredients, antioxidants, yeast and yeast by-products, vitamins, algae, enzymes, any other specialty feed or any single ingredient feed supplying nutrients to livestock. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. Directions for use must support the use as an anticaking product in livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
3.	Antioxidant products	Antioxidant Prevents or slows oxidation of livestock feeds. Reduces oxidation of fats and nutrients. Reduces oxidation in livestock feed. Protects against oxidative damage of nutrients or feed components during processing and/or storage.	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.1 as antioxidants, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for antioxidants listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product results in reduced oxidation in the livestock feed. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. The minimum amount of each antioxidant must be guaranteed. Directions for use must support the use as an antioxidant product in the livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
4.	Ruminant buffer products	Ruminant buffer Buffer Buffered Improves milk fat test in dairy cows.	Ruminant buffer products must only be fed to ruminants receiving high grain or concentrate diets. The livestock feed must contain at least 1 of the following buffer ingredients: sodium sesquicarbonate; sodium bicarbonate magnesium oxide The recommended concentrations of sodium bicarbonate, or the recommended concentrations of magnesium oxide, or the recommended concentrations of both mineral salts must be as follows: sodium bicarbonate at 1.2 to 1.6% of the dairy ration or 0.6 to 0.8% of the total diet dry matter magnesium oxide at 0.4 to 0.6% of the dairy ration, or 0.2 to 0.4% of the total diet dry matter 2 to 3 parts sodium bicarbonate mixed with 1 part magnesium oxide at 1.6 to 2.2% of the dairy ration or 0.8 to 1.2% of the total diet dry matter The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	For livestock feeds consisting of a mixture of buffer ingredients: no nutrient guarantees are permitted the actual concentration of buffer ingredient may be included in the guaranteed analysis Livestock feeds consisting of a mixture of buffer ingredients and nutrients Guarantees for required nutrients normally shown for a similar livestock feed not containing buffer ingredients Nutrients guaranteed cannot include the nutrient values from the buffer ingredients The actual concentration of each buffer ingredient may be included in the guaranteed analysis Directions for use must include the statement: "For ruminants receiving high grain or concentrate diets"
5.	Phytase products	This livestock feed contains phytase which is an enzyme that increases availability of phytate phosphorus in poultry and swine diets when used at a minimum of 500 FTU^{Table Note 1}/kg of the complete feed.	The livestock feed must contain a registered source of phytase. The manufactured livestock feed must contain or supply phytase at a level indicated as per the registered source. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	A guarantee for phytase activity must be included in the guaranteed analysis. Source of phytase must be displayed on the label. The registration number of the original source of phytase must appear on the label. For example: contains 6-phytase produced by (name of microorganism) (Registration Number: XXXXXX)as a source of phytase. May include the brand name of phytase on a voluntary basis. Other approved claims as per the registered product label can be transferred to the label. The approved claim on the label may also include the following statement: "Because of the improved dietary phosphorus utilization, less phosphorus is excreted in the manure."
6.	Livestock feed colouring products	To colour the livestock feed Colouring agent To darken the livestock feed	The livestock feed must contain single ingredients feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.6 as colourants, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for livestock feed colouring ingredients listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product results in the livestock feed having a distinct colour. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. The minimum amount of each livestock feed colouring ingredient must be guaranteed. Directions for use must support the use as a livestock feed colouring product in the livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
7.	Forage additives	Forage additive Silage additive Silage inoculant Forage inoculant	The livestock feed must contain single ingredients feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.20 as forage additives, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for forage additives listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product supplies the active ingredients at levels specified in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table to inoculate forage or silage or as per the registered product. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	Guarantees for any active substance are required. Detailed directions for use to reflect specific mixing instructions, application rates and targeted forages or livestock feed as per the active ingredient specifications indicated in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. Must add the percent dry matter content of the forage or silage to be inoculated. List of ingredients is required on the label.
8.	Microtracer products	Microtracer Livestock feed microtracer Microtracers for livestock feed Feed tracers	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.11 as microtracers, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for microtracers listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed it should code, colour or identify micro- ingredients or livestock feed. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. Directions for use must support the use as a microtracer in the livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
9.	Mould inhibitor products	Mould inhibitor Reduces mould growth in livestock feed Reduces mould growth in forages, silages, and/or haylage	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.2 as mould inhibitors, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for mould inhibitors listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product results in inhibition of mould growth in livestock feed, forage, silage and/or haylage. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	Guarantees for any active substance are required. Detailed directions for use to reflect specific mixing instructions, application rates and targeted forages, silages or livestock feed as per the active ingredient specifications indicated in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. Must add the percent dry matter content of the forage or silage to be inoculated. List of ingredients is required on the label.
10.	Odour control products	Odour control Odour control agent Potential to reduce odour in barns. Potential to reduce ammonia in barns.	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.14 as odour control ingredients, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for odour control ingredients listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product has the potential to reduce odour in barns (for example, reduction in litter ammonia levels in barns or other indicators of odour). Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. Directions for use must support the use as an odour control product in livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
11.	Pelleting products	Pelleting aid Pellet binder Improves pelleting efficiency Improves the durability of pellets	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.4 as pelleting aids, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for pelleting aids listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed results in aiding the pelleting of livestock feed (that is, improves pellet durability and/or the efficiency of the pelleting process). The use of a pelleting aid in medicated livestock feeds must align with the compatibility condition(s) in the Compendium of Medicating Ingredient Brochures and the description set out in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. Directions for use must support the use as a pelleting product in livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
12.	Preservative products	Preservative Maintains the nutritional quality of the feed Inhibition of the growth of spoilage microorganisms	The livestock feed must contain ingredients as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.1 as preservatives, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for preservatives listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed results in the preservation of the livestock feed. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. The minimum amount of each preservative must be guaranteed. Directions for use must support the use as a preservative in livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
13.	pH adjuster products	pH adjuster pH buffer Reduces pH of livestock feed Increases pH of livestock feed	The livestock feed must contain single ingredient feeds as listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table part I subclass 6.3 as pH adjusters, or products registered for that purpose. The livestock feed may contain carriers. Directions for use must not exceed the maximum levels (if listed) set for pH adjusters listed in the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table or as per the registered product. When used as directed the product maintains or alters the pH of the livestock feed. The pH adjuster or pH adjuster product must not be encapsulated. Does not supply a significant source of nutrients. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	No nutrient guarantees are permitted. Directions for use must support the use as a pH adjuster in livestock feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
14.	Mixed/combination of specialty feeds from table 3 of this IBR document	Any approved claims listed in column 2 of table 3 of the Tables for Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. At least 1 claim from column 2 of table 3 of the Tables for Permissible Claims for Feed Labels for each allowed specialty feed type used in the mixed specialty feed.	The mixed specialty feed must meet all the feed conditions as stipulated for each specialty feed type from column 3 of table 3 of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. The mixed specialty feed cannot be encapsulated or contain any encapsulating products. A specialty feed cannot be subject to a mixing technology that alters the purpose of the livestock feed. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	The label must have all of the guarantees as stipulated for each specialty feed type from column 4 of table 3 of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. No other guarantees are permitted unless specified in the label conditions for each specialty feed type from column 4 of table 3 of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. Directions for use must support the use as a mixed specialty feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.
15.	Mixture of nutritional livestock feeds and specialty feeds from table 3 of this IBR document	Any approved claims listed in column 2 of table 3 of the Tables for Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. At least 1 claim from column 2 of table 3 of the Tables for Permissible Claims for Feed Labels for each specialty feed type used in the mixed specialty feed.	The mixed feed must meet all the feed conditions as stipulated for each specialty feed type from column 3 of table 3 of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. This mixed feed must contain at least 1 single ingredient feed listed in class 1 to 5 of the Canadian Feed Ingredients Table as a source of a nutrient. The livestock feed must be manufactured in Canada.	The label must have all of the guarantees as stipulated for each specialty feed type from column 4 of table 3 of the Tables of Permissible Claims for Feed Labels. The label must also display the guarantees of the nutritional livestock feed source. Directions for use must support the use as a mixed nutritional and specialty feed. List of ingredients is required on the label.

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