Napin-rich Canola Protein Isolate

In 2020, Health Canada received a submission to allow the sale of a napin-rich canola protein isolate (NRCPI) for use as a food ingredient to replace protein found in a wide variety of foods. NRCPI is a high protein powder that is highly enriched in napin which is one of the major types of protein found in canola seeds. NRCPI is manufactured from canola seeds. The term "canola" refers to low erucic acid-low glucosinolate rapeseed or canola-quality mustard plants.

In order to determine whether this protein isolate could be sold in Canada as food, scientists at Health Canada with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry, allergies, and nutrition conducted a thorough analysis of the data and the protocols provided by the applicant to ensure the validity of the results. To ensure that NRCPI is safe for consumption, the scientists considered how the product was developed, its nutritional composition, whether it could be toxic or cause allergic reactions, and its predicted dietary exposure in the Canadian population.

Health Canada's assessment of NRCPI was conducted according to the "Guidelines for Safety Assessment of Novel Foods". Scientists with expertise in molecular biology, microbiology, toxicology, chemistry and nutrition conducted a thorough analysis of the data and the protocols provided by the applicant to ensure the validity of the results.

Following this assessment, it was determined that NRCPI is safe for the general population. However, as canola belongs to the mustard family of plants, individuals with mustard allergies may react to proteins present in the product. For this reason, the manufacturer will label NRCPI with a statement to the effect that the product "may not be suitable for people with mustard allergy." Health Canada recommends that people with mustard allergies should not consume canola protein.

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