Canada operates a statutory list of permitted supplemental ingredients (e.g. vitamins, minerals, amino acids) in food. In addition, there is a temporary marketing approval (TMA) framework by exception, to use a specific supplement in a specific food. The ongoing approval status of some of these TMA substances had been unclear.
This has now been clarified by a Health Canada notice. It addresses this gap by issuing a table which provides information relevant to the use of these ingredients as conventional food ingredients and in supplemented foods, along with any data gaps that must be filled to establish safety as proposed supplemental ingredients.
In some cases, an ingredient has a history of safe use in food and is permitted as an ingredient (including in supplemented foods) on that basis. These ingredients may be used in all foods, including supplemented foods, according to the relevant provisions of the Food and Drug Regulations. Examples include certain food additives and flavourings. If use is proposed at levels higher than those with a history of safe use or if an ingredient has no such history, the ingredient would be considered a supplemental ingredient and require a pre-market assessment by Health Canada.
Comments