Consultation on Capsaicin and Related Capsaicinoids and their Associated End-use Products, Proposed Re-evaluation Decision PRVD2022-14

Health Canada is consulting Canadians on the proposal to continue registration of all products containing capsaicin and related capsaicinoids registered for sale and use in Canada.

Capsaicin and related capsaicinoids (dihydrocapsaicin and nordihydrocapsaicin) are the essential oil extracts from pepper fruit, and the actives are always co-formulated. In Canada, capsaicin and related capsaicinoids are registered as animal repellents. They act as vertebrate repellents through irritation when they come into contact with skin or mucous membranes.

Capsaicin and its related compounds are the only actives registered to repel bears. These are restricted class products formulated as pressurized spray to be used only by authorized customers. Similar products, at a lower concentration and smaller size, are also registered to deter aggressive dogs or coyotes in domestic settings. The actives, formulated as a suspension, are registered as commercial and domestic class products for use to protect trees and ornamentals from deer, rabbits and hares. Granular, dust and liquid domestic class products are also registered to deter dog, cat, raccoon, skunk, groundhog and squirrels to protect the residential areas or bird seeds.

Capsaicin and its related compounds are shown to have value in providing a pest management solution. Based on the current use pattern of capsaicin and related capsaicinoids, dietary exposure is not anticipated. The potential risk to human health (occupational and non-occupational) and the environment is considered acceptable with the proposed risk mitigation measures and label updates.

For a full list of products containing capsaicin and related capsaicinoids, please consult Appendix I in the Proposed Re-evaluation Decision or visit the Pesticide Label Search database.

For more information on the proposed decision open the “Proposed Re-evaluation Decision”.

How to get involved

This consultation is open for comment from 5 July 2022 to 3 October 2022 (90 calendar days).

To comment on PRVD2022-14:

• Step 1 Request the full consultation document to read the Science Evaluation that is the basis of this proposed regulatory decision.
• Step 2 Submit comments to the PMRA Publications Section.

All comments received will be considered. A final re-evaluation decision will consider additional scientific information provided during the public comment period.

Please refer to the document title (for example:PRVD2022-14, Capsaicin and Related Capsaicinoids and their Associated End-use Products) when providing comments.

Reporting to Canadians

Health Canada will make the results of this consultation available on this website. Once the decision is finalized, the PMRA will post a Re-evaluation Decision on the Pesticides and Pest Management Reports and Publications portion of Canada.ca.
If you have any questions, contact the Pest Management Information Service.
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