DSM-Firmenich is urging ingredient buyers and feed manufacturers to exercise caution when sourcing 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25OHD3) feed ingredients in the coming months, after a major regulatory shift in China.
The China Feed Industry Association (CFIA) recently introduced a landmark feed group standard on the sale and use of any 25OHD3 feed additives containing detectable levels of 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) within China.
This move marks a major step forward in feed safety, traceability and quality control, but it also carries global implications for feed and animal nutrition markets, DSM-Firmenich said.
The new guidance also means that existing products containing calcitriol impurities, now discouraged in China, may be diverted to export markets. Experts warn that 25OHD3 products containing 1α,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol could easily enter circulation in other countries with less stringent regulations or enforcement.
“China’s new feed standard is a significant step forward for China and global feed safety and quality assurance,” said José María Hernández, global special nutrients ANH, DSM-Firmenich. “It highlights the importance of knowing exactly what’s in your vitamin supply and choosing sources you can trust. Now more than ever, buyers everywhere should consider to prioritize reliable, high-quality and globally registered 25OHD3 sources with proven safety and efficacy.”
Feed manufacturers, nutritionists, and integrators are encouraged to:
- Verify supplier compliance of products manufactured in China with the latest CFIA and international standards.
- Request analytical certificates confirming “not detectable” levels of calcitriol.
- Prioritize trusted, globally registered 25OHD3 sources with proven safety and efficacy track records.
