Beijing — China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA) has approved 6 new feed additives and expanded the use of several existing ones, marking the latest step in its effort to standardize the nation’s livestock nutrition systems.
The green light is given to novel additives including ferrous sucrose and iron dextran, Gallic acid, Red amorphous elemental selenium, Zinc valine chelate. Most are targeted at improving the health and growth performance of young animals—particularly weaned piglets and poultry—while one additive, ferulic acid, is aimed at antioxidant enhancement in shrimp. These approvals not only come with detailed product and testing standards but also a surveillance period lasting until the end of 2029, during which producers are required to collect safety and efficacy data.
While seemingly technical, such regulatory updates reveal much about China’s agricultural ambitions. With mounting pressure to decarbonize its meat industry, improve food safety, and reduce environmental externalities, the push for more efficient and science-based feeding regimes is quietly transforming the country’s vast feed sector.
China remains the world’s largest producer and consumer of feed, and any shift in its regulatory apparatus sends ripples through global supply chains for ingredients and additives.
| Additive/Raw material | Scope of Application | Applicant | Remark |
| Ferrous sucrose | Weaned piglets (iron supplementation) | Nanning Zeweier Feed Co., Ltd. | Newly approved |
| Iron dextran | Weaned piglets (iron supplementation) | Guangxi Research Institute of Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. | Newly approved |
| Gallic acid (from Galla chinensis or Caesalpinia spinosa Kuntze) | Weaned piglets (gut health, feed efficiency) | Wufeng Chicheng Biotech Co., Ltd. Feed Research Institute of CAAS | Newly approved |
| Red amorphous elemental selenium | Broilers (selenium supplementation) | Beijing Huameiyuan Technology Development Co., Ltd. Beijing Huameiyuan Biotechnology Co., Ltd. | Newly approved |
| Zinc valine chelate | Weaned piglets (zinc supplementation) | Changsha Xingjia Bioengineering Co., Ltd. Xinjia Biotechnology (Changsha) Co., Ltd. | Newly approved |
| Ferulic acid | Shrimp (antioxidant enhancement) | Guangzhou Kehu Biotechnology Co., Ltd., Guangdong Newkronen Biotech Co., Ltd. Sichuan Agricultural University | Newly approved |
| Bacillus velezensis (CECT 5940 / CICC 11068s) | Broilers (gut health, growth performance) | Evonik | Newly approved |
| Zinc proteinate | Lactating dairy cows (zinc supplementation) | / | application scope expanded |
| Silymarin | Broilers (antioxidant, growth promotion) | / | application scope expanded |
| Steviol glycosides | Calves and weaned piglets (palatability, growth) | / | application scope expanded |
| Poria cocos extract (Active ingredient: β-1,3-D-glucan) | Growing-finishing pigs and broilers (growth promotion) | / | new listing in the Catalogue of Feed Raw Materials |
| Sea cucumber intestinal hydrolyzed protein | Feed raw material (protein supplement) | / | new listing in the Catalogue of Feed Additives |
Source: MARA
