Health Canada Proposal to Improve Food Colour Labelling Requirements [February 2010]

Notice to the reader: The online consultation is now closed. Comments and suggestions received during the public consultation period are being considered in the finalization of this document. The final report will be made available as soon as possible.

Health Canada's Bureau of Chemical Safety is currently seeking opinions on a proposal regarding food colour declaration on the ingredient list of pre-packaged foods sold in Canada.

As you may know, the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations currently require that food colours be declared in ingredient lists, but for most foods, the Regulations permit the use of the general term "colour" to specify one or more food colours. Manufacturers may voluntarily declare individual colours by name at their own discretion.

Health Canada plans to propose regulatory amendments that would eliminate the option of simply using the word "colour" and require that individual colours be identified on food ingredient labels; also, Health Canada is seeking opinions on the manner in which individual colours might be declared. Further details are provided in the consultation document.

After all comments have been considered, Health Canada will continue to engage stakeholders while drafting proposed regulatory amendments in preparation for publication in Canada Gazette Part I and eventual legal adoption of the amendments.

How to get Involved

This consultation is open for comment starting February 18, 2010 until May 3, 2010 (75 calendar days). Comments on these proposals may be submitted in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you are submitting your comments electronically, please use the words " Food Colour Labelling " in the subject box of your e-mail.

bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

Bureau of Chemical Safety
251 Sir Frederick Banting Drive
Health Canada, Tunney's Pasture
Address Locator: 2203B
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0L2

Phone: 613-957-0973
Fax: 613-954-4674

Letter

Consultation Document

Submissions must be received by 12:00 a.m. EDT, May 3, 2010.