Current status: Open
Opened on September 23, 2026, and will close to the new input on October 23, 2026.
About the consultation
We are seeking comments on the following two proposed new single ingredient feed (SIF) descriptions:
- liquid buttermilk
- liquid skim milk
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 two new SIFs: liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk.
The evaluations 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 and 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 support the safety and efficacy of liquid buttermilk for its intended purpose as a source of energy and protein in livestock feeds. In addition, the results of our evaluation of available scientific data support the safety and efficacy of liquid skim milk for its intended purpose as a source of energy and protein in livestock feeds.
Therefore, we recommend that liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk be approved as new SIFs and added to the CFIT.
Proposed SIF descriptions
We intend to add liquid buttermilk under subclass 2.7 (Sugars and starches) of class 2 (Energy feeds) in part 2 of the CFIT with the following description:
Liquid buttermilk (or pasteurized liquid buttermilk)
is the pasteurized liquid product obtained after separation of butter from cream derived from milk by churning.
This product shall be processed in accordance with good manufacturing practices. The product must meet all standards for human consumption, and it shall be free of harmful microorganisms.
The cream may come from any of the following sources: cattle, bison, water buffalo, goats, and sheep.
If the product bears a name descriptive of its kind or origin (for example, bison liquid buttermilk), it shall correspond thereto and it may be indicated on the label.
This ingredient is approved for use as a source of dietary energy and protein in livestock feeds.
It shall be labelled with the following statement:
"This ingredient is perishable. / Cet ingrédient est périssable."
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent lactose, maximum percent crude fat, minimum percent crude protein, and maximum percent ash.
In addition, we intend to add liquid skim milk under subclass 2.7 (Sugars and starches) of class 2 (Energy feeds) in part 2 of the CFIT with the following description:
Liquid skim milk (or pasteurized liquid skim milk)
is the pasteurized liquid product obtained after the removal of cream from whole milk by centrifugation and shall not contain more than 0.3% milk fat.
This product shall be processed in accordance with good manufacturing practices. The product must meet all standards for human consumption, and it shall be free of harmful microorganisms.
The milk may come from any of the following sources: cattle, bison, water buffalo, goats, and sheep.
If the product bears a name descriptive of its kind or origin (for example, bison liquid skim milk), it shall correspond thereto and it may be indicated on the label.
This ingredient is approved for use as a source of dietary energy and protein in livestock feeds.
It shall be labelled with the following statement:
"This ingredient is perishable. / Cet ingrédient est périssable."
It shall be labelled with guarantees for minimum percent lactose, maximum percent crude fat, minimum percent crude protein, and maximum percent ash.
Ingredient numbers will be assigned when these two SIFs are added to the CFIT.
Additional information
Liquid buttermilk is produced by warming pasteurized milk cream and mechanically churning it to separate butter solids from the liquid. The buttermilk is then collected, cooled, and stored under chilled conditions.
Liquid skim milk is produced by centrifuging heated whole raw milk to separate skim milk from cream, after which it is pasteurized and cooled.
Liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk will be placed in part 2 of the CFIT due to their high moisture content and the associated potential for microbial growth if storage, transportation, or handling conditions are not adequately maintained. Placing these SIFs into part 2 of the CFIT supports verification of their origin and composition, as well as monitoring for potential contaminants introduced during production or processing.
The required label guarantees describe the key nutritional and compositional characteristics of liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk. The primary purpose of liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk is an energy source, of which lactose is the primary carbohydrate and energy-contributing component of these SIFs. A guarantee for minimum percent crude protein is included as buttermilk and skim milk's secondary purpose within livestock feed is to provide a significant source of protein. A guarantee for maximum percent crude fat verifies that the product meets the expected composition of buttermilk or skim milk, and a guarantee for maximum percent ash is included as an indicator of product quality and potential contamination or compositional variation. A required label guarantee for maximum percent moisture is not required as moisture levels are consistent.
Together, these guarantees support the identity, quality, and nutritional characterization of liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk.
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 liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk.
Stakeholders are encouraged to share comments if there are:
- concerns about the accuracy of these SIF descriptions
- any scientific data that should be considered before the SIFs are 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 "liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by October 23, 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 liquid buttermilk and liquid skim milk and issue the approval to the applicants.
If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information.
These SIFs 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