G/SPS/N/CAN/963  
 
19 October 2015  
(15-5489)  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): Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Titanium Dioxide, 
Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Iron Oxide, and Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxide (ICS Codes: 67.220.20, 67.060, 67.180, 67.190) 
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 
Colouring Agents  to Extend the Use of Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Titanium 
Dioxide, Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Iron Oxide, and Potassium Aluminum 
Silicate-Based Titanium Dioxide and Iron Oxide as Colouring Agents to Unstandardized Bakery Products, Gelatin Desserts and Standardized Bite Sized Chocolate 
 
Language(s): English and French  Number of pages: 6 and 9 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/CAN/15_4139_00_e.pdf  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/CAN/15_4139_00_f.pdf  
6. Description of content: Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety 
assessment of a food additive submission s eeking approval for the use of mica-based 
titanium dioxide, mica-based iron oxide, an d mica-based titanium dioxide and iron oxide 
colouring agents for unstandardized bakery products, gelatin desserts and standardized bite sized chocolates. The mica component of these food additives is muscovite, which is naturally-sourced potassium aluminum silicate. 
Potassium aluminum silicate-based titanium dioxide, as well as potassium aluminum 
silicate-based iron oxide, and potassium alum inum silicate-based titanium dioxide and 
iron oxide are already permitted for use in Canada as colouring agents. 
As no safety concerns were raised through this assessment, the Department has enabled 
the food additive use described in the information document by updating the List of 
Permitted Colouring Agents  (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/ securit/addit/list/3-colour-
color-eng.php , effective 7 October 2015. 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 these food additives. 
Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific 
information on the safety in use of any food additive, including potassium aluminum silicate-based colouring agents. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on 
the use of these food additives or to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by 
regular mail or electronically. G/SPS/N/CAN/963 
 
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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 st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[ ] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g. title or serial  n u m b e r  o f  C o d e x  
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 7 October 2015 (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) : 7 October 2015 
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) : 7 October 2015 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 20 December 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 Colouring Agents  to Extend the Use of 
Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Titanium Dioxide, Potassium Aluminum Silicate-
Based Iron Oxide, and Potassium Aluminum Silicate-Based Titanium Dioxide and Iron 
Oxide as Colouring Agents to Unstandardized Bakery Products, Gelatin Desserts and Standardized Bite Sized Chocolate" is available through the following weblink:  
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0061/index-eng.php  (English) 
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0061/index-fra.php  (French)