Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Enable the Use of Caramel in Flavoured Cheddar Cheese - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0158

Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of caramel as a colouring agent in a flavouring preparation used in the manufacture of flavoured cheddar cheese. The caramel is added to the flavouring preparation to improve the visibility of swirls of the flavouring preparation in the finished cheese. The caramel is not intended to impart colour to the entire cheese.

Caramel is already permitted for use in Canada as a colouring agent in various standardized and unstandardized foods.

The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of caramel for its requested use. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of caramel described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Colouring Agents, effective January 22, 2021.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for inquiries or for those wishing to submit new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.

Information Document

To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Enable the Use of Caramel in Flavoured Cheddar Cheese - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0158, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to hc.publications-publications.sc@canada.ca with the words "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0158-eng" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Contact Information

Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing new scientific information on the safety in use of any permitted food additive, including caramel. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of this additive or to submit inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically, please use the words "Caramel (NOM-0158)" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Tunney's Pasture, PL: 2202C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9

E-mail: hc.bcs-bipc.sc@canada.ca

Supporting Information

Food Additives