Notic e of Modification to Part 1 of the 
List of Contaminants and Other 
Adulterating Substances in Foods  to 
Add the Definition  for ‘Partially 
Hydrogenated  Oils’ 
 
Notice of Modification – List of Contaminants and 
Other Adulterating Substances in Foods  
Reference Number: NOM/ADM C -2022-1 
July 2 0, 2022 
  
Notice of Modification to Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods  to Add the Definition for 
Partially Hydrogenated Oils – Refe rence Number: NOM/ADM C -2022 -1| 2 
 Summary  
Canadian prohibitions and maximum levels for chemical contaminants  and other adulterating substances  in 
food are set out in Part 1 and Part  2, respectively, of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating 
Substances in Foods  (the list), which is incorporated by reference into the Food and Drug Regulations  (the 
Regulations) . 
From time to time, Health Canada may make minor , administrative  modifications  to the list. These  types of 
modifications are not intended to change the conditions set out in this list or which foods are considered to 
be adulterated.   
On September 17, 2018 Health Canada prohibited the sale of foods containing partially hydrogenated oils 
(PHOs) , by adding PHOs to Part 1 of the list . Further , the Regulations Amending the Food and Drug 
Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provis ions, Vitamin D and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils)1, 
removed  all references to PHOs  from  the Regulations . In order to enhance clarity and to help ensure the 
appropriate application of the prohibition , a definition of “partially hydrogenated” has been added to the 
PHO entry in  Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods . This added 
definition does not change the  PHO  prohibition , as announced on September 1 7, 2018.  
Health Canada has added the definiti on of “partially hydrogenated” , as shown below  (bold font not used in 
the list) in item 18,  Column 1 , of Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in 
Foods . 
Modification to Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating 
Substances in Foods  
Item 
No. Column 1  
Substance  Column 2  
Food  
 
18 Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) , mean ing a fat or oil that is 
hydrogenated and has an iodine value2 of greater than 4  All foods  
 
2 The iodine value is explained in a note in the Notice of Modification - Prohibiting the Use of Partial ly 
Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) in Foods [Reference Number: NOM/ADM -C-2017 -3]. 
Rationale  
Health Canada has added the definition of partially hydrogenated  oils to Part 1 of  the List of Contaminants 
and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods  in order to help ensure clarity  as to which substance the 
prohibition in food applies . The definition was added to the list as a consequence of the amendments to the 
Regulations, which removed all references to PHOs for consistency with the PHO prohibition. The definition 
                                                             
1 Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Vitamin D 
and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils) , Canada Gazette Part II, SOR /2022 -XX, 2022 -XX-XX. Notice of Modification to Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods  to Add the Definition for 
Partially Hydrogenated Oils – Refe rence Number: NOM/ADM C -2022 -1| 3 
 does not change the prohibition nor does it impact the public health objective intended to be achieved by 
this prohibition .  
Other Relevant Information   
The definition of PHOs  is aligned with the wording published in the  proposed  Regulations Amending Certain 
Regulations Made Under the Food and Drugs Act (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Partially 
Hydrogenated Oils and Vitamin D)  [Canada Gazette Part I]  published on February 10, 2018 .  
Implementation and Enforcement  
The above modification came into force July 20, 2022 , the day of its publi cation in Part 1 of the List of 
Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods .  
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for the enforcement of the food -related aspects of the 
Food and Drugs Act  and its associated regulations .   
Contact Information  
Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific information on the chemical 
safety of foods. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information relating to partially hydr ogenated oils  in 
foods may do so in writing, by postal mail or email . If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically, 
please use the words "PHOs  (NOM C -2022-1)" 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