Current status: Open
Opened on August 28, 2026 and will close to the new input on September 28, 2026
About the consultation
We are seeking comments on the following proposed new single ingredient feed (SIF) descriptions for palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid.
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 detailed evaluations of applications for the approval of a new SIF: palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid.
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 palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid for two intended purposes; as a preservative in livestock feeds, and as a component of gut modifier products for swine and poultry.
Therefore, we recommend palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid be approved as a new SIF and added to two different subclasses of the CFIT.
Proposed SIF descriptions
We intend to add palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid under subclass 6.1 (Preservatives, antioxidants, and stabilizers) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 2 of the CFIT with the following description:
Palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid
is the liquid product that consists of free fatty acids derived from the hydrolysis of crude and/or refined palm kernel oil, which have been further separated by fractional distillation. Fractionated free fatty acids consist predominantly of medium chain fatty acids (caproic acid (C6:0) and/or caprylic acid (C8:0) and/or capric acid (C10:0) and/or lauric acid (C12:0)) and are mixed/blended in proportions determined by the manufacturer. It shall contain a minimum of 95% free fatty acids.
This ingredient is approved for use as a preservative in livestock feeds.
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent crude fat, minimum percent free fatty acids, minimum percent total fatty acids, minimum percent total medium chain fatty acids, minimum percent of each intentionally distilled medium chain fatty acid (caproic acid and/or caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid), maximum percent moisture, maximum percent unsaponifiable matter, and maximum percent insoluble matter.
We also intend to add palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid under subclass 6.19.6 (Gut modifier ingredients – Other) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 2 of the CFIT with the following description:
Palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid
is the liquid product that consists of free fatty acids derived from the hydrolysis of crude and/or refined palm kernel oil, which have been further separated by fractional distillation. Fractionated free fatty acids consist predominantly of medium chain fatty acids (caproic acid (C6:0) and/or caprylic acid (C8:0) and/or capric acid (C10:0) and/or lauric acid (C12:0)) and are mixed/blended in proportions determined by the manufacturer. It shall contain a minimum of 95% free fatty acids.
This ingredient is approved for use as a component of gut modifier products for poultry and swine.
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent crude fat, minimum percent free fatty acids, minimum percent total fatty acids, minimum percent total medium chain fatty acids, minimum percent of each intentionally distilled medium chain fatty acid (caproic acid and/or caprylic acid and/or capric acid and/or lauric acid), maximum percent moisture, maximum percent unsaponifiable matter, and maximum percent insoluble matter.
Ingredient numbers will be assigned at the time this SIF is added to the CFIT. A different ingredient number would be assigned for each approved purpose.
Additional information
Palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid is an imported modified fatty acid ingredient derived from palm kernel oil that is tailor-made to contain specific medium chain fatty acids. This SIF will be placed into part 2 due to the variability of the combinations and concentrations of selected medium chain fatty acids, and concerns regarding the presence of contaminants (in particular, dioxins) depending on the source of the raw materials and manufacturing processes.
The individual medium chain fatty acids (that is, 1-617-207 hexanoic acid (or n-caproic acid); 1-617-295 octanoic acid (or n-caprylic acid); 1-617-104 decanoic acid (or n-capric acid); and 1-617-132 dodecanoic acid (or lauric acid)) are all approved as flavour ingredients and found in part 1 of subclass 6.17 (Flavour ingredients) of the CFIT. Each of the medium chain fatty acids have a specific maximum inclusion rate for their use as a flavour ingredient in livestock feeds.
This new SIF may consist of one or more of these four medium chain fatty acids (that is, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, and lauric acid) in varying combinations. The required label guarantee for the minimum percent of each intentionally distilled medium chain fatty acid helps to identify the predominant medium chain fatty acids and the ratios/combinations found in each final SIF product.
Palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid is to be approved as a preservative in livestock feeds and as a component of gut modifier products for poultry and swine. Note that gut modifier products must demonstrate efficacy based on their individual formulations and require registration.
Who is 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.
How to participate
We are seeking feedback on the proposed descriptions for palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid.
Stakeholders are encouraged to share comments if there are:
- concerns about the accuracy of the SIF descriptions
- any scientific data that should be considered before the SIF is approved
Our evaluators will review scientific questions or information for consideration in the evaluation. They will also evaluate non-scientific input and explore appropriate ways of addressing it.
Comments can be sent by email to the AFP at cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca. Please use "palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by September 28, 2026, 30 days from the date of this posting.
Next steps
We will review all the comments received. If no significant scientifically valid concerns are raised, we will finalize the approval of palm kernel medium chain free fatty acids liquid; 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 in the two different subclasses at the next update.
Related information
Contact us
Animal Feed Program (AFP)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca