Health Canada Seeks to Modernize the Lists of Permitted Food Additives

As with any other ingredient, food additives are regulated in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDRs), and the watchful eye of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada.  Permitted food additives are outlined in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives, which highlight the ingredients a food additive is permitted in or upon, the maximum level of use, and sometimes the permitted source, the purpose of use, or the maximum residue levels.  Recognizing that these Lists require modernization, though, to “address barriers to innovation for the food industry”[1], Health Canada proposes to modify the structure of the List of Permitted Food Additives, and modernize the titles of certain Lists.  In doing so, all fifteen Lists will present a consistent format that is reflective of similar systems in Australia, New Zealand, the EU, the United States, and the Codex.

Currently, twelve of the fifteen Lists present the same four-column format; the other three Lists contain additional information, such as that listed above (for example: a “Maximum Reside Level”).  Health Canada proposes to make every List a seven-column format with the following information: Item No., Food Additive, Source, Food, Purpose of Use, Maximum Level of Use or Maximum Level of Residue and Other Conditions, and Notes/Additional Remarks.  Moreover, Health Canada would like to update six of the fifteen Lists’ titles to reflect international terminology; for example, the “List of Permitted Bleaching, Maturing or Dough Conditioning Agents” would become the “List of Permitted Flour Treatment Agents.”  The “List of Permitted Carrier or Extraction Solvents” would be the “List of Permitted Solvents.”  For more details, please refer to Health Canada’s Notice of Proposal.

Prior to making these changes, though, Health Canada would like to hear from the public, food industry, and stakeholders on their proposal.  They ask that you email or mail the Bureau of Chemical Safety by February 2nd, 2022 and quote the following subject line: “Modernization of Food Additives List (NOP-0038)”.

For more information on food additive compliance, ingredient lists, and labelling, please feel free to reach out to us at info@gsjameson.com.

[1] Health Canada’s Proposal to Modernize the Structure and Titles of the Lists of Permitted Food Additives (NOP/ADP-0038).