Update to the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to Enable the Use of Glucoamylase Obtained from Aspergillus niger as a Food Enzyme in Bread, Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Unstandardized Bakery Products, Breakfast Cereals, and Infant Cereal Products

Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of the enzyme glucoamylase obtained from Aspergillus niger 126-PE001-32 in bread, flour, whole wheat flour, unstandardized bakery products, breakfast cereals, and infant cereal products.

Glucoamylase from various sources is already permitted for use in Canada as a food enzyme in bread, flour, whole wheat flour, unstandardized bakery products, pre-cooked (instant) breakfast cereal (a sub-group of breakfast cereals) and infant cereal products. However, Aspergillus niger 126-PE001-32 is not an approved source organism for any enzyme on the List of Permitted Food Enzymes.

The results of Health Canada’s evaluation of available scientific data support the safety of glucoamylase obtained from Aspergillus niger 126-PE001-32 when used as requested by the petitioner. Therefore, Health Canada has modified the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective August 13, 2015.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for any inquiries or for those wishing to submit any new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.

Information Document

To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Food Enzymes to Enable the Use of Glucoamylase Obtained from Aspergillus niger 126-PE001-32 as a Food Enzyme in Bread, Flour, Whole Wheat Flour, Unstandardized Bakery Products, Breakfast Cereals, and Infant Cereal Products - Document Reference number: NOM/ADM-0056, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to publications@hc-sc.gc.ca with the subject heading "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0056-eng".

Contact Information

Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific information on the safety in use of any food additive, including glucoamylase obtained from A. niger 126-PE001-32. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of this food additive or to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically, please use the words “glucoamylase obtained from A. niger 126-PE001-32" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate

Supporting Information

Food Additives