Current status: Closed
This consultation ran from May 12, 2026, to June 12, 2026
About the consultation
We were seeking comments on the proposed new single ingredient feed (SIF) description for whole sunflower seeds.
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: whole sunflower seeds.
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/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 whole sunflower seeds for its intended purpose as a source of protein and energy in feeds for terrestrial livestock.
Therefore, we recommend that whole sunflower seeds be approved as a new SIF and added to the CFIT, accordingly.
Proposed SIF description
We intend to add whole sunflower seeds under subclass 3.2.1 (Protein products and by-products of plant origin – Oil seed) of class 3 (Protein feeds) in part 1 of the CFIT with the following description:
Whole sunflower seeds
is the product that consists of the whole seeds of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus).
If the product bears a name descriptive of the form (for example, ground), it shall correspond thereto and it may be indicated on the label.
This ingredient is approved for use as a source of protein and energy in feeds for terrestrial livestock.
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent crude protein, minimum percent crude fat, maximum percent crude fibre, and maximum percent moisture.
An ingredient number will be assigned at the time this SIF description is added to the CFIT.
Additional information
This proposed new SIF description is for the whole seeds of the sunflower plant. This plant has been well characterized and has a history of safe use in Canada. Once approved, it will be placed into part 1 of the CFIT, along with descriptions for other whole seeds.
A number of sunflower-based SIFs are already listed in the CFIT, mostly approved as a source of protein in livestock feeds. For example, sunflower hulls (1-100-017), sunflower meal mechanical extracted (1-302-028), sunflower meal solvent extracted (1-302-029), sunflower meal without hulls mechanical extracted (1-302-030), and sunflower meal without hulls solvent extracted (1-302-031).
The proposed new description includes required label guarantees for minimum percent crude protein, minimum percent crude fat, maximum percent crude fibre, and maximum percent moisture, as it is a source of protein and energy. In addition, cultivated varieties of the sunflower plant (Helianthus annuus) include both oil seed and non‑oil seed types, so having required label guarantees for crude protein and crude fat would provide useful information to the purchasers and would help them identify the differences in varieties. These market classes represent different breeding selections within the same species, developed for traits such as seed size, hull characteristics, and oil content.
This SIF is approved for use as a source of protein and energy in feeds for terrestrial livestock species with no limitations on use rate. Nutritionists formulating livestock feeds for various terrestrial livestock species would adjust use rates as needed.
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, were welcome.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of whole sunflower seeds 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