Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Update the Permitted Uses of Amaranth in Foods

Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0210 [2023-11-03]

Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a re-evaluation of the permitted uses of the food colour amaranth as described in the notice of Health Canada's Proposal to Modify the Currently Permitted Uses of the Colouring Agent Amaranth in Various Foods [NOP/AVP-0023] that was published on January 4, 2017, and open to the public for comments for 75 days.

Health Canada has updated the permitted uses for amaranth to reduce the possibility of excessive dietary exposure to this food colour, while continuing to allow uses of interest to the food industry. The update was done by modifying the List of Permitted Colouring Agents as described in the information document referenced below, effective November 3, 2023.

The purpose of the information document is to publicly announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for those wishing to submit an inquiry or new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive. The information document also summarizes Health Canada's responses to the comments received during the comment period that accompanied the Department's notice of proposal.

Information Document

To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Update the Permitted Uses of Amaranth in Foods - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0210, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to publications-publications@hc-sc.gc.ca with the words "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0210-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. Anyone wishing to submit an inquiry or new scientific information on the use of a permitted food additive may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically about amaranth, please use the words "amaranth (NOM-0210)" 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: bcs-bipc@hc-sc.gc.ca

Supporting Information

Food Additives