. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CAN/164
20 March 2003
(03-1633)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
French
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   CANADA
If applicable, name of local government involved:
2. Agency responsible:  Health Canada
3. Products covered (provide tariff item num ber(s) as specified in national schedules
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where
applicable):  Whipping cream (ICS: 67.100.10, 67.220.20)
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  Not
stated
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Interim Marketing
Authorization regarding the use of Microcrystalline Cellulose in Whipping Cream
(available in English and French;  page 744)
6. Description of content:  Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations for
the use of microcrystalline cellulose as a stabilizing and thickening agent in a variety of
foods.  Health Canada has received a submission to permit the use of microcrystalline
cellulose as a stabilizing and thickening agent at a maximum level of use of 0.2 per cent inwhipping cream that has been heat-treated below 100°C.  Evaluation of available data
supports the effectiveness and safety of this new use for microcrystalline cellulose.
Therefore, it is the intention of Health Canada to recommend that the Food and Drug
Regulations  be amended to permit the optional use of microcrystalline cellulose as a
stabilizing and thickening agent at a maximum level of use of 0.2 per cent in the
manufacture of whipping cream that has been heat-treated below 100°C.
As a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system, an Interim Marketing
Authorization (IMA) is being issued to permit the immediate use of microcrystallinecellulose as indicated above while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend
the Regulations.  A revision to this notification will be published at the start of the
amendment process and Members will be given the opportunity at that time to submit
comments on this proposed measure.
7. Objective and rationale:  [  X ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [   ] plant protection,
[   ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or disease,  [   ]  protect territory from other
damage from pestsG/SPS/N/CAN/164
Page 2
8. International standard, gu ideline or recommendation:
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] Office International des Epizooties,
[   ] International Plant Prot ection Convention, [ X ] None
If an international standard , guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate
reference and briefly identify deviations:
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette,
Part I, 15 March 2003 (Available in English and French)
10. Proposed date of adoption:  Immediate for this IMA.  For the final regulation, will be stated
in subsequent Revision or A ddendum to this notification..
11. Proposed date of entry into force:  Immediate for this IMA.  For the final regulation, will
be stated in subsequent Revision or Addendum to this notification.
12. Final date for comments:  This document is not for comment at this time.  A comment
period will be provided in a Revision of this notification.
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or address, fax number and E-mail address (if
available) of other body:
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notification authority, [ X ] National enquiry point,
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:
The electronic version of the regulatory text can be downloaded at:
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2003/20030315/pdf/g1-13711.pdf