Notice of Modification to the List of 
Permitted Colouring Agents to Update 
the Permitted Uses of Amaranth in 
Foods  
 
Notice of Modification  – Lists of Permitted Food 
Additives  
Reference Number: NO M/ADM-0210 
November  3, 2023 
 Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 2 
 Summary  
Food additives are regulated in Canada under Marketing Authorizations  (MAs) issued by the Minister of 
Health and the Food and Drug Regulations  (Regulations) . Approved food additives and their permitted 
conditions of use are set out in the Lists of Permitted Food Additives  (Lists) that are incorporated by 
reference in the MAs and published on the Canada.ca website.  
Health Canada’s Food Directorate  completed  a re-evaluation of the food additive uses of the colouring agent 
amaranth , and proposed updated uses for 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  that w as published 
on January 4, 201 7, and open to the public for comments for 75 days. The objective of updating the 
permitted uses of amaranth is to reduce the possibility of excessive dietary exposure to this food colour while 
continuing to allow those uses that are of interest to the food industry . 
No new scientific safety information about amaranth was submitted to Health Canada during the comment 
period . However, industry requested that certain proposed maximum levels of use be increased and that 
additional foods be included . Health Canada concluded that the requested changes  to what the Department 
had proposed would not introduce a food safety concern.  
Since no food safety concerns were identified for the uses of amaranth that are currently of interest to 
industry, Health Canada has updated the permitted uses for this colouring agent by modifying  the List of 
Permitted Colouring Agents . More specifically, Health Canada has  delet ed “Amaranth” from item  no. 3, 
where it was grouped with five other synthetic colours , and creat ed a separate  list entry for amaranth  as new 
item  no. 3.2.1 as shown in the table below . 
Modification to the  List of Permitted Colouring Agents  
Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
3.2.1  Amaranth * (1) 
Apple (or rhubarb) and (naming 
the fruit) jam; Fig marmalade with 
pectin; ( Naming the fruit) jam with 
pectin; ( Naming the fruit) jelly 
with pectin; Pineapple marmalade 
with pectin  (1) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of brilliant blue FCF or fast green FCF, o r 
both, does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any 
case,  including where amaranth is 
added pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , 
the total amount of amaranth in the 
food not to exceed 300 p.p.m.  
(2) (2) Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 3 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
Concentrates for unstandardized 
non-carbonated fruit flavoured 
beverages; Mixes for 
unstandardized non -carbonated 
fruit flavoured beverages  If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
90 p.p.m.  in the beverage as consumed 
in accordance with section B.06.002 of 
the Food and Drug Regulations . If used 
in any combination with allura red, 
brilliant blue FCF, erythrosine, fast 
green FCF, indigotine, sunset yellow FCF 
or tartrazine, the total combined 
amount not to exceed 300  p.p.m.  in the 
beverage as consumed in accordance 
with section B.06.002 of the Food and 
Drug Regulations , provided that the 
amount of amaranth does not exceed 
90 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast gr een FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total 
amount of amaranth in the beverage as 
consumed not to exceed 90  p.p.m.  
(3) 
Cream soda; Grape soda; 
Unstandardized non -carbonated 
fruit -flavoured beverages  (3) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
90 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 90  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does  not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 90  p.p.m.  
(4) 
Eggnog; Yogurt  (4)  
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
15 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 4 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 15  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 15 p.p.m.  
(5) 
Hard candies  (5) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
50 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 50  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 50 p.p.m.  
(6) 
Ice cream mix  (6) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
55 p.p.m.  in the ice cream in accordance 
with section B.06.002 of the Food and 
Drug Regulations . If used in any 
combination with allura red, brilliant 
blue FCF, erythrosine, fast green FCF, 
indigotine, sunset yellow FCF or 
tartrazine, the total combined amount 
not to exceed 300  p.p.m.  in the ice 
cream in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 55  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 5 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the ice cream not to exceed 55  p.p.m.  
(7) 
Ice milk mix  (7) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
55 p.p.m.  in the ice m ilk in accordance 
with section B.06.002 of the Food and 
Drug Regulations . If used in any 
combination with allura red, brilliant 
blue FCF, erythrosine, fast green FCF, 
indigotine, sunset yellow FCF or 
tartrazine, the total combined amount 
not to exceed 300  p.p.m.  in the ice milk 
in accordance with section B.06.002 of 
the Food and Drug Regulations , 
provided that the amount of amaranth 
does not exceed 55  p.p.m.  and the 
amount of brilliant blue FCF or fast 
green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case,  including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the ice milk not to exceed 55  p.p.m.  
(8)  
Liqueur; Unstandardized alcoholic 
beverages  (8) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of brilliant blue FCF or fast green FCF, or 
both, does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any 
case, including where amaranth is 
added pursuant subitem 3.2.1(14) , the 
total amount of amaranth in the food 
not to exceed 300 p.p.m.  
(9) (9) Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 6 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
(Naming the flavour) milk; 
(Naming the flavour) partly 
skimmed milk; (Naming the 
flavour ) partly skimmed milk with 
added milk solids; (Naming the 
flavour) skim milk; (Naming the 
flavour) skim milk with added milk 
solids; Unstandardized dairy 
beverages, except eggnog  If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
50 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 50  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed  50 p.p.m.  
(10) 
Sherbet  (10) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
55 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 55  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount o f amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 55 p.p.m.  
(11) 
Smoked fish  (11) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
50 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 7 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 50  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 50 p.p.m.  
(12) 
Snack foods  (12) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
250 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 
250 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast green FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total 
amount of amaranth in the food not to  
exceed 250  p.p.m.  
(13) 
Unstandardized bakery products  (13) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
40 p.p.m.  in the food as consumed in 
accordance with section B.06.002 of the 
Food and Drug Regulations . If used in 
any combination with allura red, 
brilliant blue FCF, erythrosine, fast 
green FCF, indigotine, sunset yellow FCF 
or tartrazine, the total combined 
amount not to exceed 300  p.p.m.  in the 
food as consumed in accordance with 
section B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 40  p.p.m.  Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 8 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including where 
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1( 14), the total amount of amaranth 
in the food as consumed not to  exceed 
40 p.p.m.  
(14) 
Unstandardized confectionery for 
use in the manufacture of ice 
cream and ice milk; 
Unstandardized foods for use in 
the manufacture of foods set out 
in this item  (14) 
Good Manufacturing Practice  
(15) 
Unstandardized desserts, except 
unstandardized frozen desserts; 
Unstandardized dessert toppings  (15) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
100 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast green FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , the to tal 
amount of amaranth in the food not to 
exceed  100 p.p.m.  
(16) 
Unstandardized dessert mixes  (16) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
100 p.p.m.  in the food as consumed in 
accordance with section B.06.002 of the 
Food and Drug Regulations . If used in 
any combination with allura red, 
brilliant blue FCF, erythrosine, fast 
green FCF, indigotine, sunset yellow FCF 
or tartrazine, the total combined 
amount not to exceed 300  p.p.m.  in the 
food as consumed in accordance with Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 9 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
section B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast green FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total 
amount of amaranth in the food as 
consumed not to exceed 100 p.p.m.  
(17) 
Unstandardized dressings for 
salads  (17) 
If used singly, the total amount not to 
exceed 150  p.p.m.  in accordance with 
section B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 
150 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast green FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100 p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14), the total 
amount of amaranth in the food not to 
exceed  150 p.p.m.  
(18) 
Unstandardized frozen desserts  (18) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
55 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 55  p.p.m.  
and the amount of brilliant blue FCF or 
fast green FCF, or both, does not exceed 
100 p.p.m.  In any case, including wher e Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 10 
 Item 
No. Column 1  
Additive  Column 2  
Permitted in or Upon  Column 3  
Maximum Level of Use and Other 
Conditions  
amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14), the total amount of amaranth 
in the food not to exceed 55 p.p.m.  
(19) 
Unstandardized fruit spreads; 
Unstandardized sauces for dipping  (19) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of brilliant blue FCF or fast green FCF, or 
both, does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any 
case, including where amaranth is 
added pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14), 
the total amount of amaranth in the 
food not to exceed  300 p.p.m.  
(20) 
Unstandardized seasonings  (20) 
If used singly, the amount not to exceed 
200 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations . If used in any combination 
with allura red, brilliant blue FCF, 
erythrosine, fast green FCF, indigotine, 
sunset yellow FCF or tartrazine, the 
total combined amount not to exceed 
300 p.p.m.  in accordance with section 
B.06.002 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations , provided that the amount 
of amaranth does not exceed 
200 p.p.m.  and the amount of brilliant 
blue FCF or fast green FCF, or both, 
does not exceed 100  p.p.m.  In any case, 
including where amaranth is added 
pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14), the total 
amount of amaranth in the food not to 
exceed 200 p.p.m.  Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 11 
 Consequential Modification  
Subitem 3.4(2) of the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  set out a maximum level  for the in -combination use 
of sunset yellow FCF and synthetic colours in items 3 and 4 of the List in cheese -flavoured corn snacks.  Since 
amaranth  was removed from the group of synthetic colours listed in item  no. 3 and was added to new item 
no. 3.2.1 , a reference to this new item number  for amaranth  was added to column 3 of subitem 3.4(2) to 
reflect the  permitted in -combination use of sunset yellow FCF and amaranth in cheese -flavoured corn 
snacks .1 
The notice of proposal that Health Canada published on January 4, 2017, had indicated that removing the 
reference to section B.06.002  of the Regulations , which sets out “in -combination” rules for the use of certain 
synthetic colours, and replacing it with text describing the “in -combination” rules in column 3, would be a 
consequential change. While Health Canada has set out an in -combination rule for amaranth in column 3 of 
the List, the reference to section B.06.002 in this column is maintained pending further review of this section 
of the Regulations . 
Corrective  Modification s 
The a sterisk  (*) is used in the  List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to identify the permitted synthetic colours  
that meet the definition of synthetic colour in section B.06.001 of the Regulations . In column 2 of subitem 
3.4(2)  of the English list , an asterisk that had been mistakenly placed after the food name “Cheese -flavoured 
corn snacks” was removed.  
For the purpose of food additive provisions , the food category “Unstandardized bakery products” include s a 
wide variety  of bake d goods and other bakery products  for which standard s are not set out in the 
Regulations, including loaves other than breads for which standards are set out in Division 13 of the 
Regulations, flours other than those for which standards are set out in Division 13, and mixes for baked 
goods .2 
In some of the  Lists , there were subitems that set out conditions of use for food additives in specific 
unstandardized bakery products (i.e., “Baking mixes”, “Cakes”, “Cookies”) that are the same as the conditions 
of use for these additives in the broader food category “Unstandardized bakery products” . Since the specific 
foods are captured by the unstandardized bakery products  category , and the additives are already permitted 
in unstandardized bakery product s, the se specific foods were redundant and have be en removed . 
Namely , the food  category “Baking mixes”  was removed  from  column 2 of subitem G.2(6) of the  List of 
Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents  and from column 2 of item A.2 and subitems 
A.01(9), A.02(2), E.1(8), N.1(11), S.1.2(4) and S.2(9) of the  List of Permitted Sweeteners . Also in the List of 
Permitted Sweeteners , subitem E.1(9)  which had  set out the permitted use of erythritol in “Cakes; Cookies” , 
was re moved  since these are unstandandardized bakery products and subitem E.1(8) already sets out that 
erythritol  is permitted in “Unstandardized bakery products” at the same maximum level of use. Subsequent 
 
1 Amaranth is permitted to be added to cheese -flavoured corn snacks according to the conditions set out for “snack foods”  in 
subitem 3.2.1(12) of the List of Permitted Colouring Agent s. 
2 Examples of “unstandardized bakery products” include but are not limited to : bagels, cakes, cookies, crackers, croissants, 
Danish pastries, donuts, English muffins, loaves, muffins, pancakes, pita, scones, unstandardized flours, and waffles . It also 
include mixes of dry ingredients used for the preparation of these baked goods (e.g. cake mixes, waffle mixes) and prepared 
dough for unstandardized bakery products (e.g. cookie dough).  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency ( CFIA ), which administers 
the non -health and safety aspects of food compositional standards,  considers flour from barley, rye, corn, millet, rice, sorghum, 
oat, soya, teff, quinoa, amaranth and buckwheat to be unstandardized flours.   
Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 12 
 subitems in item E.1 were renumbered to maintain the numerical sequence.  The text “in the food as 
consumed” was put in place of the text “in products as consumed” in column 3 for subitems A.01(9), A.02(2), 
N.1(11), S.1.2(4) and S.2(9), and in place of “in product as consumed” in column 3 for item A.2, for 
consistency  with current drafting style for setting out permitted uses of food additives . 
Rationale  
Health Canada’s Food Directorate  completed  a re-evaluation of the food additive uses of the colouring agent 
amaranth , and based on that re -evaluation proposed updated permitted uses for this food colour to reduce 
the possibility of excessive dietary exposure while continuing to allow those uses that are of interest to the 
food industry . The re -evaluation and proposed updated uses were  described in the notice of  Health Canada's 
Proposal to Modify the Currently Permitted Uses of the Colouring Agent Amaranth in Various Foods . 
In response to the notice of proposal, industry requested that certain proposed maximum levels of use be 
increased and that additional foods be included. These requested changes to what Health Canada had 
proposed are summarized in the Notification – Summary of Comments and Health Canada’s Responses 
section below.  
Health Canada concluded that the requested changes would not introduce a food safety concern. Since no 
food safety concerns were identified for the uses of amaranth that are currently of interest to industry , 
Health Canada has updated the permitted uses for this colouring agent  by modifying the List of Permitted 
Colouring Agents  as described above . The update d uses r educe the possibility of excessive dietary exposure 
to this food colour while continuing to allow those uses that are of interest to the food industry . 
Other Relevant Information  
Food additives such as amaranth are required to meet food -grade specifications set out in Part B of the 
Regulations , where such specifications exist,  or those set out in the  most recent  edition of the  Food 
Chemicals Codex  or the Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications  where there are no 
specifications in Part B . The Food Chemicals Codex  is a compendium of standards for purity and identity for 
food ingredients, including food additives, published by the United States Pharmacopeial Convention. 
Specifications in the  Combined Compendium of Food Additive Specifications  are prepared by the Joint 
FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA)  and published by the Food and Agriculture 
Orga nization of the United Nations.  
Notification – Summary of Comments  and Health Canada’s 
Responses  
Health Canada received 11 responses3 to the Notice of Health Canada's Proposal to Modify the Currently 
Permitted Uses of the Colouring Agent Amaranth in Various Foods  – Reference Number: NOP/A VP-0023 
published on January 4, 201 7. 
 
Industry feedback confirmed that Health Canada’s propos al included  most of the food uses of amaranth that 
are currently  of interest to industry . However, the proposal did not include use in s moked fish , sauces for 
 
3 Responses were from four  individuals, four  food industry associations, two food manufacturers and one of Canada’s 
international trade partners .  
Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 13 
 dipping , or seasonings , which  had been permitted to contain amaranth at a maximum level of use of 
300 p.p.m.  Industry asked to maintain the permitted  use of amaranth in these foods  at a maximum level of 
use of 50  p.p.m. , 300  p.p.m.  and 200  p.p.m. , respectively.  
In addition, industry requested a higher maximum level of use for  unstandardized dressings  for salads  and 
potato chips  (i.e., 150 p.p.m.  instead of 15 p.p.m.  in unstandardized dressings  for salads , and 250  p.p.m.  
instead of 100 p.p.m.  in potato chips ) and that “potato chips” be ex panded to the broader food category 
“snack foods”  at the same maximum level of use of 250 p.p.m.  
Industry also indicated that the proposed  new list entry for amaranth did not include any food category that 
would capture unstandardized ingredients used for further manufacturin g, which previously were permitted 
to contain amaranth at a maximum level of use of 300 p.p.m.  under the broad food category 
“Unstandardized foods”.  As an example of such ingredients, the industry referred to flavouring preparations 
colored with amaranth added to foods or fruit puree swirls colo ured with amaranth added to ice cream . 
To include such ingredients, Health Canada added as sub-item 3.2.1(14)  to the list an entry for the food 
categor ies “Unstandardized confectionery for use in the manufacture of ice cream and ice milk ” and 
“Unstandardized foods for use in the manufacture of foods set out in this item ” and set out a maximum level 
of use in these foods of “Good Manufacturing Practice”4. 
This sub -item restricts the use of amaranth to ingredients that will be used in foods that are permitted to 
have amaranth directly added to them.  Also, the total amount of amaranth that can be added to foods 
directly or as a result of “carryover” from such ingredients has been limited by one of the se conditions to this 
effect in column 3 of the List, as applicable: “ In any case, including where amaranth is added pursuant to  
subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth in the ice cream not to exceed  55 p.p.m. ”; “In any case, 
including where amaranth is added pursuant to  subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth in the ice 
milk  not to exceed  55 p.p.m. ”; “In any case, including where amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 
3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth in the beverage as consumed  not to exceed  90 p.p.m. ”; “In any case, 
including where amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , the total amount of amaranth in the food 
not to exceed  [X p.p.m. ]; and “ In any case, including where amaranth is added pursuant to subitem 3.2.1(14) , 
the total amount of amaranth in the food as consumed not to exceed  [X p.p.m. ]. 
An international trade partner  presented for consideration levels of amaranth permitted in certain foods sold 
in that country . Since the levels of use that Health Canada had proposed in the notice of proposal  were based 
on levels of use that the food industry had reported to Health Canada for both imported and domestic foods 
sold in Canada, the Department did not change any maximum levels of use as a result of this comment . 
There was a request to maintain  the current ly permitted dye content  in food colour preparations . This limit 
(less than 3%) is set out in the definition of “preparation” in Division 6 of the Regulations. The new list entry 
for amaranth does not change what Division 6 already permits for preparations of amaranth or any other 
food colour . No changes were made as a result of this comment.  
There was a comment on the need to clarify that levels are based on “food prepared for consumption 
according to label directions” as currently exists in section B.06.002 of the Regulations, and that in the 
proposal, only items 3.2.1(4) and 3.2.1(7) explici tly indicated that levels are on an “as consumed” basis. In the 
Lists, the text “as consumed” appears in column 3 when the maximum level of use set out in this column 
applies to the food prepared for consumption while the corresponding food(s) listed in co lumn 2 are, or 
include, mixes, concentrates or a large category of foods that includes products such as mixes or 
concentrates but is not limited to such products (e.g. the food category “unstandardized bakery products” 
 
4 For the definition of “Good Manufacturing Practice” set out in column 3 as a “Maximum Level of Use ”, see the  Marketing 
Authorization for Food Additives That May Be Used as Colouring Agents . Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 14 
 includes products that are ready -to-eat, such as cakes, but also includes products that require preparation 
prior to consumption, such as baking mixes).  
To make it clearer, Health Canada reorganized the grouping of the food categories permitted to contain 
amaranth so that entries for food mixes, concentrates, and large categories that also include mixes and 
concentrates are listed separately in column 2 wh en the corresponding maximum level of use set out in 
column 3 applies to these foods “as consumed”. For ice cream and ice milk, since the standards for these 
foods prescribed by sections B.08.062 and B.08.072 of the Regulations indicate that they are to be  obtained 
by freezing an ice cream mix and an ice milk mix, respectively, two separate food entries were set out in 
column 2 for “ice cream mix” and “ice milk mix” while the corresponding maximum level of use in column 3 
was set out to apply to the ice cre am and the ice milk (i.e. 55  p.p.m. in the ice cream; 55  p.p.m. in the ice 
milk), which are the foods as consumed. The reference to section B.06.002 of the Regulations in this column 
is maintained for all synthetic food colours pending further review of th at provision.”  
One respondent may have been confused by the fact that “amaranth” is also the name of a plant. Health 
Canada maintained the asterisk (*) -designated footnote to the names of the synthetic colours in  the List of 
Permitted Colouring Agents , which i n the case of amaranth, should clarif y that the entry for amaranth in this 
list is for the synthetic colour, not the plant.  
Finally, some respondents expressed concern  about  the use of azo dyes  (a type of synthetic colouring agent  
that includes amaranth ) in foods and their long term effects on the health  of children and other individuals . 
Health Canada explained to  these respondents that the re -evaluation of amaranth that led to Health 
Canada’s  proposal to update the permitted uses of amaranth was conducted in support of a broader review 
of 52 azo dyes carried out as part of the Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).5 
Health Canada pointed out that under CMP , Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada 
(ECCC) did a screening assessment of 52 chemically -related dyes, including amaranth, and found none of 
them to be toxic to the environment or human health .6 Health Canada also assured the respondents that if 
scientific information were to become available indicating that amaranth or any other permitted additive is 
not safe for use in food s, then Health Canada would remove it from the Lists of Permitted Food Additives.  
Implementation and Enforcement  
The above modification came into force November  03, 2023, the day it was published in List of Permitted 
Colouring Agents . 
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act and its 
associated regulations with respect to foods.  
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 
 
5 Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada. June 2016. Screening Assessment. Aromatic Azo and Benzidine -
based Substance Grouping. Certain Azo Acid Dyes. Available from: https://www.ec.gc.ca/ese -
ees/default.asp?lang=En&n=05BF983D -1  
6 As defined under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act ., 1999  Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  to Update the Permitted Uses of  Amaranth in Foods | 15 
 a permitted food additive  may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the 
Food Directorate electronically  about the synthetic food colour 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