G/SPS/N/CAN/893
30 October 2014 
(14-6315)  Page: 1/2
Committee 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; IC S numbers should be provided in 
addition, where applicable): Sodium Metabisulphite (ICS Codes: 67.220.20, 67.080) 
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: Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted 
Preservatives to Enable the Use of Sodium  Metabisulphite in Standardized Olives 
Language(s): English and French  Number of pages: 3 and 4 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/CAN/14_4881_00_e.pdf  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2014/sps/CAN/14_4881_00_f.pdf  
6. Description of content: Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety 
assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of sodium 
metabisulphite as a preservative in olives, to prevent browning. This is considered an antioxidant function of this additive. 
Sodium metabisulphite is already permitted for use in Canada as a preservative in 
various food categories. It is not currently permitted for use as an antioxidant in olives, a food for which there is a standard set out in section B.11.050 of the Food and Drug 
Regulations. 
As no safety concerns were raised through this assessment, the Department has enabled 
the food additive use described in the information document by modifying the List of Permitted Preservatives, effective 23 October 2014. The purpose of this communication 
is to publically announce the Department's decision 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. 
Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific 
information on the safety in use of any food additive, including sodium metabisulphite in olives. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of this additive or 
to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. 
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.   G/SPS/N/CAN/893 
 
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  8. Is there a relevant international st andard? 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 
international 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 23 October 2014 (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 adoption (dd/mm/yy) : 23 October 2014 
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) : 23 October 2014 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 5 January 2015 
Agency or authority designated to hand le 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 Notifi cation Authority, [X] National Enquiry 
Point. Address, fax number and e-mail address (if available) of other body:   
The "Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Preservatives to Enable the Use of 
Sodium Metabisulphite in Standardized Olives" can be requested at:  
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0039/index-eng.php  (English) 
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0039/index-fra.php  (French)