Health Canada, the department responsible for safeguarding public health in Canada, has introduced new regulations, updating its 50-year-old rules in order to accelerate the authorization of food additives and boost safety.
Health Canada noted that under the previous regulations, even if scientists prove that a food additive can lower the risk of a serious food-borne illness outbreak, it would take about 12 to 18 months to update the approved food additive list in its website and make the product legal.
While the new system does not change the safety assessment performed by Health Canada scientists, it only enables the department to speed up the authorization process of food additives, or respond quickly to concerns about an existing additive.
Once the scientific evaluation of new food additives is completed, the new system is expected cut down the time required to update the list by 12 to 18 months.
Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq said these changes reflect the government's commitment towards protecting the health and safety of Canadian consumers and their families.
"By making these common sense changes, we are helping safer foods get on to store shelves more quickly," Aglukkaq added.
Health Canada noted that moving forward, its website will clearly specify the list the additives that are considered for legal use in Canada, and any limits on their use.
