This section of the Final Questions and Answers complies with Canadian Organic Standards 2026 #
To consult the QAs complying with the 2020 COS, click here.
The clauses and tables referred to in the Final Questions and Answers are those of CAN/CGSB-32.311, Permitted Substances Lists, unless otherwise specified.
CAN/CGSB-32.310 – General Principles and Management Standards
CB – Certification Body
COS – Canadian Organic Standards
GE – genetically engineered
5.2 Feed, feed additives and feed supplements #
Acetic acid for acidifying drinking water #
Can acetic acid be used for acidifying drinking water for animals? (201)
Yes. Acetic acid from any source other than GE sources may be used to acidify livestock drinking water. (See Acids, Table 5.3).
Hydrogen peroxide for drinking water #
Can hydrogen peroxide that is used to treat drinking water for humans but is not necessarily rated ‘food grade’ be used to treat livestock drinking water? The hydrogen peroxide annotation in Table 5.3 stipulates “food grade” is required. (486)
Yes, Hydrogen peroxide approved to treat drinking water for humans is considered equivalent to food grade for the purpose of treating livestock drinking water.
Livestock feeds – Certification #
Can livestock feeds which contain non-agricultural ingredients be certified? (65.1)
Livestock feeds may contain necessary non-agricultural ingredients such as feed additives or supplements as long as they are listed on Table 5.2 (as per CAN/CGSB-32.310 9.1.3 d)). Refer to CAN/CGSB-32.310 6.4 for complete details on livestock feed requirements.
Lactoserum for feed #
Can non-organic lactoserum be used as feed if it is documented that organic lactoserum is not commercially available? (258)
No. Livestock feed must exclusively contain 100% organic agricultural ingredients and permitted feed additives or feed supplements as listed in Table 5.2 of CAN/CGSB-32.311 (as per CAN/CGSB-32.310 9.1.3 d)).
Substrate for probiotics #
Q: Can probiotics be used as feed supplement if they are manufactured using a non-organic agricultural substance such as whey as the growing medium (252)
It depends. Non-organic agricultural ingredients such as whey can be used as the growth medium or substrate to manufacture probiotics that are used as a feed supplement as long as their use complies with the requirements of Clause 5.1.2 , as follows:
a) if the probiotic includes the substrates or growth media, the ingredients of the substrate or growth medium shall be listed in the appropriate Table (5.2 (Livestock feed) or 5.3 (Livestock health care)), and use of non-organic agricultural substances listed in CAN/CGSB-32.311 must comply with substance listing annotations;
b) if the probiotic does not include the substrates or growth media, it shall be produced on non-genetically engineered substrates or growth media, if commercially available.
This means each substrate needs to be assessed individually for compliance. For example, whey residues are not permitted in a probiotic product because whey is not listed in the required tables. Whey would need to be organic under these circumstances. Probiotic products without whey residues are permitted without a commercially available search because at present there is no milk being produced from genetically engineered animals.
Amino Acids – DL methionine and lysine #
Is the use of DL methionine from processes involving genetic modification allowed? (54)
Yes, as per the Amino acids listing in CAN/CGSB-32.311 Table 5.2, as an exception to Clause 5.1.2, isolated amino acids may be used when feeds and additives listed in Table 5.2 cannot meet the amino acid requirements to produce a balanced feed as per Clauses 6.4.1 and 6.4.2 of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Cobalt Sulphate #
Can cobalt sulphate produced with sulphuric acid be used as a mineral supplement and for medical reasons? (22.1)
The annotation for “Minerals, trace minerals, elements” in Table 5.2 allows sulphated forms of minerals for supplementation provided they do not contain or are produced with EDTA or EDDHA. Table 5.3 allows any source for medical use.
Palm oil #
Is palm oil or it’s derivatives permitted as a feed ingredient for organic dairy production? (532)
Yes, like all other oils, palm oil and derivatives would be considered as energy feeds (see Table 5.2), and as such, any palm derived products would have to be certified organic
Vitamin & Mineral Premixes – Preservatives #
If all commercially available vitamin and mineral premixes contain preservatives, how can organic farmers meet the nutritional needs of their animals? (65.2)
In terms of vitamin premixes, all vitamin formulants that comply with Canadian regulations are accepted. Vitamins not compliant to Clause 5.1.2 are permitted.
Sprayed substances on dry hay #
Can stored organic hay be sprayed with substances listed in Table 4.2 (Column 2) and/or 5.2? (381)
No. Only substances listed under “Hay or silage preservation products” in Table 5.2 can be applied to hay post-harvest.
Propionic acid containing ammonium hydroxide #
Is propionic acid containing ammonium hydroxide permitted as hay or silage preservation product under Table 5.2? (356)
No. The allowance in the Table 5.2 listing “Hay or silage preservation products” is for propionic acid, not for propionic products containing prohibited compounds such as ammonium hydroxide. Clause 1.5 b) of CAN/CGSB-32.310 prohibits the use of crop production aids and materials that are not listed in CAN/CGSB-32.311.
Yeast-derived Protein #
Does the definition of “Micro-organisms and yeasts” in Table 5.2 include yeast-derived protein? (120)
A yeast-derived protein is not a yeast; it is a protein. Protein for use in organic livestock rations must be organic (see “Protein feeds” , Table 5.2), and in compliance with Clause 6.4.4 of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Yeasts are listed on Table 5.2. Are the derivatives of yeast, namely the yeast cell wall products, also allowed? (238)
Yes. Yeast and yeast cell wall products are allowed as feed supplements. Non-organic sources, inluding autolysate, can be used if organic sources are not commercially available (CAN/CGSB-32.311 Table 5.3 “Microorganisms and yeasts”).
5.3 Health care products and production aids #
Colloidal silver #
Is colloidal silver allowed for use in livestock health care? (273)
It depends. Colloidal silver falls under the “Minerals, trace minerals, elements” listing in Table 5.3. But due diligence is required to make sure the form of colloidal silver is acceptable. Colloidal silver produced using electrolysis is allowed. Also, colloidal silver produced by a biofermentation process is allowed as long as the genetically engineered restrictions specified in Clause 1.4 a) of CAN/CGSB-32.310 are met. Colloidal silver is basically nano-sized clusters of silver atoms in an aqueous solution. Although products of nanotechnology are generally prohibited, the two forms listed above are allowed as they fall under the exception pertaining to nanotechnology provided in Clause 1.4 b) 2) of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Garlic #
Can uncertified garlic be used as a de-wormer in organic livestock operations? (7)
This standard permits the use of non-organic garlic as a de-wormer treatment under Table 5.3, Botanical compounds.
Magnesium carbonate as anti-caking agent #
Can magnesium carbonate be used as an anti-caking agent in salt when used for livestock? (467.2)
Yes. Magnesium carbonate is used as a source of magnesium, a mineral and may be included in feed. See Minerals, trace mineral, elements,Table 5.3.
Ketoprofen #
If ketoprofen is used therapeutically, is there a withdrawal period? (449)
No. Non-steroid anti-inflammatories such as ketoprofen are listed in Table 5.3. Substances listed in CAN/CGSB-32.311 do not require any withdrawal times unless specified in the annotation or on the product label.
Medical Treatment – Fish Products #
Is the use of fish oil as medical treatment (to treat bloat) prohibited? Are fish-based animal health tonics prohibited? (22.3)
Fish oil and fish-based health products are permitted as prescribed veterinary medicinal substances and subject to the restrictions outlined in Clause 6.6.10 of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Vitamin B #
Is it acceptable to inject meat animals with vitamin B for the purpose of improving meat colour? (33)
No. Table 5.2 lists vitamins for “enrichment or fortification.” Injection to improve the colour of meat is for cosmetic purposes, not enrichment of fortification.
Vitamins – Preservatives #
Can a vitamin that contains a synthetic preservative be used in livestock feed? (81)
Yes. Vitamins, with no restrictions, are permitted for feed enrichment or fortification. See Vitamins, Table 5.2 and Table 5.3.
Eggs – Ink Labels #
Can ink be used to label organic eggs? (46)
Yes. Ink that does not contain prohibited substances may be used to label eggshells.
Barn Sanitizers #
Is citrus extract allowed as a cleaner or disinfectant in buildings for animal production? (68.1)
Yes. Citrus extract included under Botanical compounds in Table 5.3 is permitted for use as a cleaner in livestock houses. See Clause 6.7.4 of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Zinc oxide #
Is zinc oxide allowed as a health remedy in organic livestock production? (279)
Yes. Table 5.3 “Health Care Products and Production Aids” lists “Minerals, Trace Minerals, Elements” and specifies that “minerals of any source are allowed for medical use”. Zinc oxide would fall under this listing.
Zinc sulphate #
Can zinc sulphate be used as a treatment in foot baths for livestock? (270)
Yes, as it is considered a mineral under the listing in Table 5.3 – Minerals, Trace Minerals and Elements which specifies that “minerals of any source are allowed for medical use.”
Bloat treatment #
Is the use of poloxalene allowed as a bloat treatment for dairy animals? (492)
No. Poloxalene cannot be used unless the requirements of 6.6.10 of CAN/CGSB-32.310 are met. This means that alternative solutions must be explored first. If these are ineffective, a veterinary pharmaceutical such as poloxalene can be used under the written authorization of a vet, but the withdrawal period for milk and meat must be 14 days or double the label requirement, whichever is longer. Note also that repeated use of poloxalene may result in an animal losing organic status for the rest of its life (see details in Clause 6.6.10 e) of CAN/CGSB-32.310.
Propolis for health care #
Can non-organic propolis and other bee products, except honey, be used as a livestock health care product? (496)
Yes. Non-organic propolis, pollen, royal jelly, beeswax and bee venom are considered biotherapies and may be used as livestock health care products as per the Homeopathy and biotherapies listing in Table 5.3. Only organic honey is permitted for use in livestock (Honey, CAN/CGSB-32.311 Table 5.3).
Formulants in livestock nutrition and health products #
Which ingredients found in livestock boluses, or other health care products and production aids, are categorized as Formulants per Table 5.3 and not subject to Clause 1.4 or 1.5 of CAN/CGSB-32.310? (530)
Any substance other than the active ingredients intentionally incorporated in a formulation of a drug authorized for sale by Health Canada is considered as a formulant in Table 5.3.
Yellow Prussiate of Soda in feed #
Is salt containing Yellow Prussiate of Soda (YPS) as an anti-caking agent permitted in livestock feed? (648) 21 November 2025
No. YPS is a non-nutritive feed additive which is not listed in Table 5.2 as required by Clause 6.4.4 a) in CAN/CGSB-32.310.
