Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from July 9, 2025 to August 8, 2025
About the consultation
We were seeking comments on the following proposed new single ingredient feed (SIF) descriptions for eugenol and vanillin for a new purpose (component of gut modifier products). In addition, we are seeking comments on the amended descriptions for eugenol and vanillin approved for use as flavour ingredients.
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 applications for the approval of eugenol and vanillin for a new purpose (component of gut modifier products).
The evaluation considered information related to:
- the safety of feeding these SIFs to livestock with respect to animal health
- the safety of foods derived from livestock that eat these SIFs
- the safety of workers/bystanders exposed to these SIFs
- environmental safety
- the fit-for-purpose and efficacy of these SIFs for the intended livestock species
The results of our evaluation of available scientific data supports the safety and efficacy of eugenol and vanillin for an additional purpose, as a component of gut modifier products for livestock species.
Therefore, we recommend that eugenol and vanillin be approved for an additional purpose and added to the CFIT, accordingly.
In addition, as a result of these proposed descriptions and to standardize the wording for these SIFs, we have decided to amend the descriptions for eugenol and vanillin found in subclass 6.17 (Flavour ingredients) of the CFIT.
Therefore, we recommend the description for eugenol and vanillin found in subclass 6.17 (Flavour ingredients) in Class 6 of part 1 of the CFIT to be amended and the amended SIF descriptions replace the current SIF descriptions in the CFIT, accordingly.
Proposed SIF descriptions
We intend to add eugenol and vanillin under the renamed subclass 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Essential oils) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT with the following descriptions:
Eugenol (or 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol or 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol)
is 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, generally expressed as C10H12O2 and having the CAS# 97-53-0.
It shall contain not less than 95% eugenol.
This ingredient is approved for use as a component of gut modifier products in an amount not to exceed 62.5 g/tonne of the complete feed for livestock species.
The total eugenol concentration from all sources must not exceed 62.5 g/tonne.
It shall be labelled with a guarantee for minimum percent eugenol.
Vanillin (or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyenzaldehyde or vanillic aldehyde)
is 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyenzaldehyde, generally expressed as C8H8O3, and having the CAS# 121‑33‑5.
It shall contain not less than 95% vanillin.
This ingredient is approved for use as a component of gut modifier products in an amount not to exceed 250 g/tonne of the complete feed for livestock species.
The total vanillin concentration from all sources must not exceed 250 g/tonne.
It shall be labelled with a guarantee for minimum percent vanillin.
Ingredient numbers will be assigned at the time the SIFs are added to the CFIT for this new purpose.
Amended SIF descriptions
We intend to amend the existing SIF descriptions for eugenol (1-617-161) and vanillin (1-617-385) under subclass 6.17 (Flavour ingredients) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT.
The amended descriptions are:
1-617-161 Eugenol (or 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol or 2-methoxy-4-(2-propenyl)phenol)
is 4-allyl-2-methoxyphenol, generally expressed as C10H12O2 and having the CAS# 97-53-0.
It shall contain not less than 95% eugenol.
This ingredient is approved for use as a flavour ingredient in an amount not to exceed 0.00625% or 62.5 g/tonne of the complete feed for livestock species.
The total eugenol concentration from all sources must not exceed 62.5 g/tonne.
It shall be labelled with a guarantee for minimum percent eugenol.
1-617-385 Vanillin (or 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyenzaldehyde or vanillic aldehyde)
is 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyenzaldehyde, generally expressed as C8H8O3 and having the CAS# 121‑33‑5.
It shall contain not less than 95% vanillin.
This ingredient is approved for use as a flavour ingredient in an amount not to exceed 0.0250% or 250 g/tonne of the complete feed for livestock species.
The total vanillin concentration from all sources must not exceed 250 g/tonne.
It shall be labelled with a guarantee for minimum percent vanillin.
Additional information
Subclass 6.19.5 will be renamed from 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Other) to 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Essential oils) to better reflect the different types of gut modifier ingredients approved for use in livestock feeds. The new descriptions for eugenol and vanillin will be placed into the renamed subclass 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Essential oils) for their additional purpose. The approved SIFs listed in the original subclass 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Other) will be moved to the new subclass 6.19.6 (Gut modifier ingredients – Other), if they do not belong in any of the different types of gut modifier ingredients found in subclass 6.19. Thymol will be placed into the renamed subclass 6.19.5 (Gut modifier ingredients – Essential oils) and the remaining SIFs (glycerol tributyrate, calcium gluconate and soybean lecithin) will be moved into the new subclass 6.19.6 (Gut modifier ingredients – Other).
In addition to eugenol and vanillin being approved for use as flavour ingredients in livestock feeds, these SIFs are also approved for an additional purpose as components of gut modifier products intended for livestock species. The additional purpose for these two SIFs have restrictions on the maximum inclusion rate which are equivalent to the maximum inclusion rates for their intended use as flavour ingredients. Gut modifier products are specialty feeds requiring registration and applicants are required to demonstrate efficacy of their gut modifier product in the species and classes of livestock for which it is intended.
As a result of eugenol and vanillin being approved for an additional purpose (component of gut modifier products for livestock species), amendments were required to the existing eugenol and vanillin descriptions found in subclass 6.17 of part 1 of the CFIT to better align with the general description of the SIF, the requirements found in the new descriptions for these SIFs and the standardized wording for multi-purpose SIFs found in the CFIT. These amendments included: adding additional approved alternative SIF names, including the chemical formula and CAS # for each, adding a specification for eugenol and vanillin in the description, adding a purpose statement and adding a required label guarantee. The maximum inclusion rate of eugenol and vanillin, up to 62.5 g/tonne and up to 250 g/tonne in the complete feed for livestock species, respectively, did not change.
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 were welcome from industry, governments, the public or other organizations or individuals.
Next steps
We will review all of the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of eugenol and vanillin for their new purpose and issue the approval to the applicant. In addition, if no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the amended descriptions for eugenol and vanillin.
If significant concerns are raised, then we will evaluate the additional information and may, subject to the commenters' consent, forward the comments to the applicant for their response. A what we heard report that summarizes the feedback received will be published.
The new descriptions for eugenol and vanillin will be added to the renamed subclass 6.19.5 (Gut modifier products – Essential oils) of part 1 of the CFIT at the next update.
In addition, the amended descriptions for eugenol and vanillin in subclass 6.17 (Flavour ingredients) will be added to the CFIT at the next update.
Related information
Contact us
Animal Feed Program (AFP)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
59 Camelot Dr
Ottawa ON K1A 0Y9
Email: cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca