G/SPS/N/CAN/1090  
 
10 January 2017  
(17-0156) Page: 1/2 
Commit tee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures  Original: English/French  
 
  NOTIFICATION  
1. Notifying Member: CANADA  
If applicable, name of local government involved:   
2. Agency responsible: Health Canada  
3. Products covered (provide tariff item number(s) as specified in national 
schedules deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Amaranth (ICS Code: 67.220.20)  
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable : 
[X] All trading partners   
[ ] Specific regions or countries:    
5. Title of the notified document: Health Canada's Proposal to Modify the Currently 
Permitted Uses of the Colouring Agent Amaranth in Various Foods - Reference Number: 
NOP/AVP -0023. Language(s): English and French . Number of pages: 7 and 8  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2017/SPS/CAN/17_0148_00_e.pdf  
http://members.wto.org/crnattac hments/2017/SPS/CAN/17_0148_00_f.pdf  
6. Description of content: Health Canada has conducted a re -evaluation of the approved 
food additive uses of the colouring agent amaranth, which is currently permitted at a 
maximum level of use of 300 parts per millio n (p.p.m.), singly or in combination with 
other specified synthetic colours. The re -evaluation was conducted in support of a 
broader review of fifty -two azo acid dyes carried out as part of the Government of 
Canada's  Chemicals  Management  Plan 
(http://www.chemicalsubstanceschimiques.gc.ca/fact -fait/glance -bref/acid_acides -
eng.php ). 
The results of Health Canada's re -evaluation of available data on the conce ntrations of 
amaranth actually used in foods sold in Canada reveal that exposure to amaranth is 
within acceptable levels from a food safety perspective. However, the existing maximum 
levels of use for amaranth that appear in the List of Permitted Colouring  Agents  
(http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/securit/addit/list/3 -colour -color-eng.php ) are generally 
higher than actual use levels and would allow for elevated exposures if a ctual use levels 
ever increased. In order to ensure that potential exposure to the food colouring agent 
amaranth remains within acceptable levels, it is the intention of Health Canada to modify 
the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  by creating a unique li sting for "Amaranth" (it is 
currently grouped in the List with five other synthetic colours) and by identifying 
maximum levels of use and other conditions that align with actual current uses.  
As a result of this assessment, it is the intention of Health Ca nada to modify the List of 
Permitted Colouring Agents  (http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/securit/addit/list/3 -colour -
color-eng.php ) as described in the information document.  The purpose of this 
communication is to publically announce the Department's intention in this regard and to 
provide the appropriate contact information for any inquiries or for those wishing to 
submit any new scientific information relevant to the safety  of this food additive.  G/SPS/N/CAN/1090  
 
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  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 pests.   
8. Is there a relevant international  standard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) :   
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g.  Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number) :   
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g.  ISPM number) :   
[X] None  
Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[ ] Yes   [ ] No  
If no, describe, whenever possible, how and why it deviates from the 
internationa l standard:   
9. Other relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available: 
Health  Canada's Food and Nutrition - "Public Involvement and Partnerships" Website, 
posted 4 January 2017 (available in English and French):  
http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/consult/index -eng.php  (English)  
http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/consult/index -fra.php  (French)  
10. Proposed date of ad option (dd/mm/yy) : The proposed food additive use will be 
legally enabled once it is published in Health Canada's List of Permitted Colouring Agents  
(http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/securit/addit/list/3 -colour -color-eng.php ). 
Proposed date of publication (dd/mm/yy) :   
11. Proposed date of entry into force: [ ]  Six months from date of publication , 
and/or  (dd/mm/yy) : The food additive use noted in this document comes into fo rce 
the day on which the modifications are made to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents  
(http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/securit/addit/list/3 -colour -color-eng.php ). 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ]  Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 18 March 2017  
Agency or authority designated to handle comments: [ ]  National Notification 
Authority, [X]  National  Enquiry Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address 
(if available) of other body:   
13. Text(s)  available from: [ ]  National Notification Authority, [X]  National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e -mail address (if available) of other body:   
The " Health Canada's Proposal to Modify the Currently Permitted Uses of the Colouring 
Agent Amaranth in Various Foods - Reference Number: NOP/AVP -0023" is available 
through the following weblink:  
http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/consult/nop -avp-0023/nop -avp-0023-eng.php  (English)  
http://www.hc -sc.gc.ca/fn -an/consult/nop -avp-0023/nop -avp-0023-fra.php  (French)