Notice of Modification to Remove Ethylene Oxide from the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses – Reference Number: NOM/ADM 0107

Background

The use of ethylene oxide as a fumigant on spices has been regulated for a number of years under the authority of both the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA). Health Canada considers that the regulation of ethylene oxide as a fumigant is appropriately placed under the authority of the PCPA.

Health Canada published a Proposal to Remove Ethylene Oxide from the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses on June 1, 2017.  The proposal was open to the public for comment for 75 days. A summary of the comments and responses provided during this period is available in the information document referenced below.

Thus, Health Canada has removed the food additive provision for the use of ethylene oxide from the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses as described in the information document below. The removal is effective as of October 12, 2017. This allows the approved conditions of use of ethylene oxide as a fumigant to reside solely under the PCPA.  Under the authority of the PCPA, maximum residue limits (MRLs) for ethylene oxide and its degradation product ethylene chlorohydrin were concurrently added to the MRL Database.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce Health Canada’s decision in this regard.

Information Document

To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to Remove Ethylene Oxide from the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0107, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to publications@hc-sc.gc.ca with the subject heading "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0107-eng".

Contact Information

Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific information on the safety in use of any food additive. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of an additive or to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically, please use the words "Ethylene Oxide" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate

Supporting Information

Food Additives