Update to the Lists of Permitted Food Additives to Enable the Use of Tripotassium Phosphate, Potassium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate and Sodium Potassium Hexametaphosphate in Various Standardized and Unstandardized Foods
Background
Health Canada received five food additive submissions that together sought approval for the use of tripotassium phosphate (potassium phosphate, tribasic), potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium potassium tripolyphosphate and sodium potassium hexametaphosphate in those foods where trisodium phosphate (referred to in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives as sodium phosphate, tribasic), sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium hexametaphosphate are already permitted. The requested levels and conditions of use of these potassium and sodium potassium phosphates are the same as for the already permitted sodium analogues.
The results of Health Canada's evaluation of available scientific data support the safety of tripotassium phosphate (which will be referred to in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives as potassium phosphate, tribasic), potassium tripolyphosphate, sodium potassium tripolyphosphate and sodium potassium hexametaphosphate when used as requested.
Since the new potassium phosphates and sodium potassium phosphates are food additives that were not previously permitted for use in Canada, Health Canada published a Proposal to Enable the Use of Tripotassium Phosphate (Potassium Phosphate, Tribasic), Potassium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate and Sodium Potassium Hexametaphosphate in Various Standardized and Unstandardized Foods on September 11, 2014, requesting comments. The proposal also included extensions of use for certain already-permitted phosphates that would improve consistency among food additive provisions for phosphates.
No scientific information was submitted to the Department as a result of this publication that altered the conclusion of the safety assessment. Since the outcome of the evaluation remains as indicated in the published proposal, Health Canada has modified the Lists of Permitted Food Additives as described in the information document available below, effective April 14, 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 these food additives.
Information Document
To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the Lists of Permitted Food Additives to Enable the Use of Tripotassium Phosphate (Potassium Phosphate, Tribasic), Potassium Tripolyphosphate, Sodium Potassium Tripolyphosphate and Sodium Potassium Hexametaphosphate in Various Standardized and Unstandardized Foods- Document Reference number: NOM/ADM-0048, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to publications@hc-sc.gc.ca with the subject heading "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0048-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 the phosphate food additives identified in this notice. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of these additives 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 "Potassium Phosphates and Sodium-Potassium Phosphates" in the subject line of your e-mail.
Supporting Information
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