Notice of Modification to the Lists of Permitted Food Additives to Enable the Use of Gelatin as a Gelling Agent in Calorie-Reduced Margarine

Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety assessment of a food additive seeking approval for the use of gelatin at a maximum level of use of 1.0% in calorie-reduced margarine.

Gelatin is already permitted for use in Canada as a gelling agent in unstandardized foods at levels consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) as well as in a variety of standardized foods at levels consistent with GMP or up to 0.75%.

As no safety concerns were raised through this assessment, and since this food additive is already approved for use in other foods in Canada, the Department has enabled its use as described in the information document below by updating the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents, effective August 13, 2013. 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 document Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents to Enable the Use of Gelatin as a Gelling Agent in Calorie-Reduced Margarine - Document Reference number: NOM/ADM-0014,  please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to publications@hc-sc.gc.ca with the subject heading "HPFB BCS nom-adm-0014-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 gelatin. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of this 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 "gelatin in calorie-reduced margarine" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Bureau of Chemical Safety
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, PL: 2202C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
E-mail address: bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

Supporting Information

Food Additives