Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Sweeteners to Enable the Use of Steviol Glycosides as a Table-Top Sweetener and as a Sweetener in Certain Food Categories - Document Reference Number NOM/ADM-0002

Notice of Modification - Lists of Permitted Food Additives
Document Reference Number: [NOM/ADM-0002]

November 30, 2012

Summary

Further to Health Canada's technical consultation published on July 31, 2012, entitled Information and Consultation Document on Health Canada's Proposal to Allow the Use of the Food Additive Steviol Glycosides as a Table-Top Sweetener and as a Sweetener in Certain Food Categories, Health Canada is modifying the Lists of Permitted Food Additives as indicated in the table below.

Food additives are regulated in Canada under the Food and Drug Regulations and Marketing Authorizations (MAs) issued by the Minister of Health. Approved food additives and their permitted conditions of use are set out in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives that are incorporated by reference in the MAs. A petitioner can request that Health Canada approve a new additive or a new condition of use for an already-approved food additive by filing a food additive submission with the Department's Food Directorate. Health Canada uses this premarket approval process to determine whether the scientific data support the safety of food additives when used under specified conditions in foods sold in Canada.

Health Canada received three separate food additive submissions that together seek approval for the use of steviol glycosides as a table-top sweetener and a sweetener in a variety of unstandardized foods. The results of Health Canada's evaluation of available data support the safety and efficacy of steviol glycosides when used as described. Therefore, Health Canada has enabled the following use(s) of the food additive steviol glycosides by modifying the List of Permitted Sweeteners by adding the following entries to the list:

Notification

Health Canada's Information and Consultation Document on Health Canada's Proposal to Allow the Use of the Food Additive Steviol Glycosides as a Table-Top Sweetener and as a Sweetener in Certain Food Categorieswas published for a 75 day comment period beginning on July 31, 2012 and ending on October 14, 2012. During the course of this consultation, Health Canada received a number of comments which are summarized below.

Summary of Comments Received

In total, 27 comments were received citing support of Health Canada's proposal to enable the use of steviol glycosides as a table-top sweetener and as a sweetener in certain food categories. Comments were received primarily from food industry associations. One patient group also indicated support.

In several instances, respondents requested that the common names "purified stevia extract" and "stevia leaf extracts" be permitted for use on labels. Some respondents also requested general clarification of the permitted use(s) of steviol glycosides and asked technical questions, all of which have either been directly responded to by the Food Directorate's Bureau of Chemical Safety, or referred to the most appropriate Government of Canada resource. In the case of the common names that would be acceptable for use on food labels, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency can be consulted to obtain information on labelling requirements for food additives.

It should be noted that some comments were received requesting the use of steviol glycosides in additional food categories. It has been clarified in these instances that any requests for additional food additive use(s) of steviol glycosides outside of what has been proposed through Health Canada's recent online consultation can be addressed through the provision of a food additive submission pursuant to section B.16.002, Division 16 of the Food and Drug Regulations. Please refer to the following detailed information which provides guidance on the completion of a food additive submission.

After due consideration of the overall weight of scientific evidence supporting the safety of Health Canada's proposal, as well as the comments received through Health Canada's corresponding consultation, the Department has modified the List of Permitted Sweeteners to enable the use(s) of steviol glycosides as outlined in the table above.

Implementation and Enforcement

The above modification came into force the day on which it is published in the List of Permitted Sweeteners.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for compliance and enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act and its associated regulations with respect to foods.

Contact Information

For additional information or to submit information related to this modification to the List of Permitted Sweeteners, please contact the Food Directorate's Bureau of Chemical Safety.

Bureau of Chemical Safety
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, PL: 2202C
Ottawa, Ontario  K1A 0L2
E-mail: bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

If communicating by e-mail, please use the words "steviol glycosides" in the subject box of your e-mail.