Current status: Open
Opened on October 30, 2026, and will close to the new input on November 30, 2026.
About the consultation
We are seeking comments on the following proposed amended single ingredient feed (SIF) descriptions:
- 1-601-030 Xanthan gum
- 1-608-010 Xanthan gum
- 1-609-003 Xanthan gum
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 amendment of three existing descriptions for xanthan gum, a multi-purpose SIF.
The evaluations 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 xanthan gum for its intended purpose as a stabilizer, emulsifying agent and viscosity modifier in calf milk replacers and in liquid feeds for ruminants.
Therefore, we recommend that the descriptions for xanthan gum be amended and the amended descriptions replace the current SIF descriptions in the CFIT.
Amended SIF descriptions
The amendments introduced in the existing descriptions for xanthan gum, a multi-purpose SIF, relate to the change of the definition of supplement found in the Feeds Regulations, 2024 and its consequential impact on these SIF descriptions. The amendments of the xanthan gum descriptions consist of removing liquid "supplements" for ruminants and replacing it with liquid "feeds" for ruminants.
During our review of the existing descriptions for xanthan gum, we determined that "gomme xanthane" is the preferred French name. This better aligns with the SIF name in English as well as the common name in French used for food products. It will be added as the main approved SIF name and "gomme xanthanique" will remain as an alternative SIF name in these amended descriptions.
We intend to amend the existing description for xanthan gum (1-601-030) under subclass 6.1 (Preservatives, antioxidants and stabilizers) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT with the following description:
1-601-030 Xanthan gum
is a polysaccharide gum, having the CAS# 11138-66-2. It is derived from a non-pathogenic strain of the microorganism, Xathomonas campestris, and purified by recovery with isopropyl alcohol. The dominant hexose units are D-glucose, D-mannose and D-glucuronic acid in addition to their sodium, potassium or calcium salts. It shall not contain more than 750 ppm residual isopropyl alcohol.
This ingredient is approved for use as a stabilizer in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers, and in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants.
It shall be labelled with the following statements:
"This ingredient is approved for use as a stabilizer in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers."
"This ingredient is approved for use as a stabilizer in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants."
"This ingredient is free of antimicrobial activity and is not a source of viable microbial cells."
In addition, we intend to amend the existing description for xanthan gum (1-608-010) under subclass 6.8 (Emulsifying ingredients) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT with the following description:
1-608-010 Xanthan gum
is a polysaccharide gum, having the CAS# 11138-66-2. It is derived from a non-pathogenic strain of the microorganism, Xathomonas campestris, and purified by recovery with isopropyl alcohol. The dominant hexose units are D-glucose, D-mannose and D-glucuronic acid in addition to their sodium, potassium or calcium salts. It shall not contain more than 750 ppm residual isopropyl alcohol.
This ingredient is approved for use as an emulsifying agent in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers, and in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants.
It shall be labelled with the following statements:
"This ingredient is approved for use as an emulsifying agent in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers."
"This ingredient is approved for use as an emulsifying agent in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants."
"This ingredient is free of antimicrobial activity and is not a source of viable microbial cells."
Finally, we intend to amend the existing description for xanthan gum (1-609-003) under subclass 6.9 (Viscosity modifiers) of class 6 (Non-nutritive ingredients) in part 1 of the CFIT with the following description:
1-609-003 Xanthan gum
is a polysaccharide gum, having the CAS# 11138-66-2. It is derived from a non-pathogenic strain of the microorganism, Xathomonas campestris, and purified by recovery with isopropyl alcohol. The dominant hexose units are D-glucose, D-mannose and D-glucuronic acid in addition to their sodium, potassium or calcium salts. It shall not contain more than 750 ppm residual isopropyl alcohol.
This ingredient is approved for use as a viscosity modifier in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers, and in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants.
It shall be labelled with the following statements:
"This ingredient is approved for use as a viscosity modifier in an amount not to exceed 0.1% in calf milk replacers."
"This ingredient is approved for use as a viscosity modifier in an amount not to exceed 0.25% in liquid feeds for ruminants."
"This ingredient is free of antimicrobial activity and is not a source of viable microbial cells."
Additional information
The Feeds Regulations, 2024 introduced a new definition of the term supplement which inadvertently reduced the approved scope of the use of xanthan gum in livestock feeds. Xanthan gum is approved for use as a stabilizer, emulsifying agent, and as a viscosity modifier for calf milk replacers and liquid supplements for ruminants.
The term supplement had a broader meaning previously under the Feeds Regulations, 1983, and as such, the amendment to these existing descriptions, that is removing "supplements" and replacing it with "feeds" expands the use to any liquid feeds for ruminants which realigns the scope with the original intent.
In addition, we have added "gomme xanthane" as the main SIF name in French. This aligns better with the SIF name in English and is the common name used for foods. The current name, "gomme xanthanique," will remain as alternative name in these amended descriptions.
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 amended descriptions for xanthan gum.
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 SIF descriptions are amended
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 "xanthan gum" in the subject line of the email. We are asking for comments and feedback by November 30, 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 amended descriptions for xanthan gum.
If significant concerns are raised, we will evaluate the additional information.
The amended descriptions for xanthan gum will be added to the CFIT at the next update.
Contact us
Animal Feed Program (AFP)
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Email: cfia.afp-paa.acia@inspection.gc.ca