In 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued a large number of food policies and regulations. In this regard, Foodmate conducted an inventory and compiled ten major food policies.

1. The new Canadian fresh fruit and vegetable food safety regulations come into effect

On January 15, 2020, the relevant requirements of the Canadian Food Safety Act (SFCR) on the import, export or inter-provincial trade of fresh fruits or vegetables (FFV) were officially implemented. The requirements for FFV trading companies in the SFCR mainly include: 1. Preventive control measures must be taken to effectively respond to food safety hazards (such as microbial contamination of food) and prevent contaminated and unqualified food from entering the market; 2. Develop written preventive controls Plan, record food risks and how to control the corresponding risks; 3. Establish traceability document requirements to realize the forward and backward traceability of food in the supply chain. At present, the new regulations for the lot number identification of pre-packaged FFVs that are not packaged at the retail level have also taken effect, but relevant companies can still use existing packaging before January 15, 2021.

2. Canada approved a glucose oxidase for use in foods such as bread

On January 21, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0142, which intends to amend the list of food enzymes allowed to be used, and approve Glucose Oxidase from Aspergillus niger strain J39 for bread, flour, Whole wheat flour, pasta, unstandardized baked products, and some shredded cheese before packaging.

3. Canada approves the use of lycopene extract in certain beverages

On March 13, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0143, which intends to amend the list of allowed colors, lycopene extract is allowed to be used in certain non-carbonated sweet water-based beverages and sports drinks with added vitamins and mineral nutrients.

It is understood that lycopene extracted from tomatoes has been allowed to be used as a food coloring agent in various foods in Canada, including certain beverages. This revision will take effect on March 12, 2022.

4. Canada approves the expansion of the use of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate

On April 8, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0145, approving the expansion of the use of Potassium phosphate dibasic.

According to the notice, the scope of use of dipotassium hydrogen phosphate has been expanded to the same food scope and use level as permitted for sodium phosphate dibasic. At present, dipotassium hydrogen phosphate has been allowed to be used as a food additive in various standardized and non-standardized foods in Canada. This revision will take effect from April 8, 2020.

5. Canada approves benzoic acid and its salts as preservatives in oyster sauce

On May 5, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0147, amending the list of permitted preservatives, and approving benzoic acid and its salts as preservatives in Oyster Flavoured Sauce.

According to the notification, oyster sauce is classified as a non-standardized fish product in Canada. The maximum amount of benzoic acid and its salts in oyster sauce is 1,000 ppm. This revision will take effect on May 5, 2022.

6. Canada approves the use of polysorbate 80 in ready-to-eat wheat grains

On June 15, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0148, amending the list of permitted emulsifiers, gelling agents, stabilizers and thickeners, and approved the use of polysorbate 80 in ready-to-eat wheat grains.

7. The maximum lead content in infant formula formulated by Canada is officially effective

On July 3, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued the NOM/ADM C-2020-2 document, formulating the maximum lead content in concentrated infant formula milk powder and infant formula milk powder.

It is understood that on June 5, 2019, the maximum lead content in concentrated infant formula and infant formula proposed by Canada Ministry of Health was 0.01 ppm. No new scientific information has been received for the solicitation of opinions, and this revision will take effect on July 3, 2020.

8. Canada approved the use of steviol glycosides in a variety of foods

On September 1, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0151, amending the list of permitted sweeteners, and approving the use of Steviol Glycosides from Saccharomyces cerevisiae Y63348 in a variety of foods.

9. Canada approves a pectin lyase for use in various standardized and non-standardized foods

On September 23, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0154, which intends to amend the list of permitted food enzymes and approve the pectin lyase from Aspergillus niger Rung373 for use in various standardized and non-standardized applications Food.

10. Canada approves a cellulase for a variety of foods

On October 22, 2020, Canada Ministry of Health issued document NOM/ADM-0156, which intends to amend the list of permitted food enzymes, approve cellulase (cellulase) from Trichoderma reesei QM9414 strain for standardization of single-strength fruit juices, standardized and non-standardized pulps, and non-standardized fruit and vegetable products.

Foodmate reminds food export companies to pay close attention to changes in relevant Canadian policies and take effective measures to respond in a timely manner to ensure the smooth development of trade.

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Business Division of Food Safety and Regulatory Compliance of Global Foodmate provides food standards & regulations research, labelling compliance consulting/Chinese label design, industry public opinion monitoring and analysis, registration services (of Infant formula, FSMP, Health food, Novel Food Ingredients, Novel Food Additives, New Varieties of Food-Related Products and Overseas manufacturers of imported food) and other comprehensive food safety solutions for domestic and overseas enterprises and institutions in food industry. 

Please feel free to contact us: +86 10 68869850, E-mail: global_info@foodmate.net