Transition Guide: Understanding and Using the Lists of Permitted Food Additives
Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
2.0 New Regulatory Tools for Foods
2.1 Marketing Authorizations (MA)
2.2 Incorporation by Reference
3.0 Food Additive Marketing Authorizations and the Lists of Permitted Food Additives
3.1 New Approach
3.2 Interpreting and Using the Lists of Permitted Food Additives
3.3 Accessing the Lists of Permitted Food Additives
3.4 Food Standards of Composition and Identity
3.5 Note on Additives with Other Generally Accepted Uses
4.0 Changing the Lists of Permitted Food Additives
4.1 Submission Process and Amending the Lists
4.2 Discontinuation of Interim Marketing Authorization Authority
Appendix A
Introduction
The way in which Health Canada formally approves food additives once a scientific assessment has determined that a food is safe is changing. On April 26, 2012, as part of Bill C-38 - the Jobs, Growth and Long-term Prosperity Act - the Government of Canada introduced amendments to the Food and Drugs Act that will enable Health Canada to streamline and accelerate the process by which it enables the use of food additives that have been evaluated as safe for use in Canada. The amendments received Royal Assent on June 29, 2012, and have since come into force.
The amendments provide the Minister of Health with the authority to implement certain food decisions through ministerial regulations called Marketing Authorizations (MAs) as well as a more flexible authority to incorporate documents by reference into the Food and Drug Regulations and food MAs. These tools will enable Health Canada to more efficiently provide Canadians with access to safe food products and improve Health Canada's responsiveness to emerging science, food innovation, and/or health and safety risks. These improvements are made without changing the nature or rigour of the Department's scientific safety evaluations.
Health Canada is using these new tools to strengthen the responsiveness, sustainability and efficiency of its food additives regulatory system.
