. /. WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION   
G/SPS/N/CAN/204 
1 June 2004 
 (04-2312) 
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:   Department of Health 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Carrageenan (ICS: 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:   Proposed Amendment to 
the Food and Drug Regulations (1063 - Carrag eenan in Infant Formula) (available in 
English and French, pages 1578-1581) 
6. Description of content:  Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations  for 
the use of carrageenan in different infant formula products.  
 A submission has been received by Health Ca nada to permit the use of carrageenan as a 
suspension agent for calcium salts in lactose-fre e infant formula based on milk protein at a 
maximum level of 0.05 per cent.  Evaluation of available data supports the safety and 
effectiveness of this use of carrageenan.  Therefore, it is proposed to amend the Regulations to permit the use of carrageenan in lactose-free infant formula based on milk 
protein at a maximum level of 0.05 per cent.   Provision also exists in the Regulations for th e use of algin and guar gum in infant formula 
at a maximum level of 0.03 per cent, whether u sed singly or in combination.  In order to 
clarify the use of algin, carrageenan and guar  gum used singly or in combination, it is 
proposed to add to the current listings for algi n and guar gum that these can be used singly 
or in combination with carrageenan in infa nt formula based on isolated amino acids or 
protein hydrolysates, or both, and in lactose-free infant formula based on milk protein at 
maximum levels of 0.1 per cent and 0.05 per cent respectively.  These proposed 
amendments would provide consistency between  the listings for algin, carrageenan and 
guar gum.  
7. Objective and rationale:  [ X ] food safety, [   ] animal health, [   ] plant protection, 
[  ] protect humans from animal/plant pest or  disease, [   ] protec t territory from other 
damage from pests G/SPS/N/CAN/204 
Page 2  
 
 8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:  
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE), [   ] International Plant Protection 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 May 2004 (availabl e in English and French) 
10. Proposed date of adoption:   Normally within 5 to 8 mont hs of publication in the Canada 
Gazette, Part I. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   On the date the measure is adopted. 
12. Final date for comments:  29 July 2004 
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 notificati on authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, 
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body:  
The electronic version of the regulat ory text can be downloaded at:  
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2004/20040515/pdf/g1-13820.pdf