G/SPS/N/CAN/913
23 February 2015 
(15-1047)  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): Ascorbic acid (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 Extend the Use of Ascorbic Acid as a Preservative in Canned (naming 
the fruit) and Canned (naming the vegetable) at a Maximum Level of Use Consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice  Language(s): English and French  Number of 
pages: 5 and 6 
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/CAN/15_0884_00_e.pdf  
http://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2015/SPS/CAN/15_0884_00_f.pdf  
6. Description of content: Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety 
assessment of a number of food additive su bmissions seeking approval for the use of 
ascorbic acid as a preservative in various canned fruit and vegetable products. 
Ascorbic acid is currently permitted for use as a preservative in several standardized 
foods, including canned applesauce and canned peaches. It is also permitted in 
unstandardized foods and various standardized foods such as canned apples, canned 
pears, canned pineapple, canned potatoes and canned salsifies. 
The results of Health Canada's evaluation of available scientific data support the safety 
of ascorbic acid when used as a preservative in canned vegetable and canned fruit 
products in general. 
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 19 February 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 this food 
additive. 
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/913 
 
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  8. Is there a relevant international st andard? If so, identify the standard:  
[X] Codex Alimentarius Commission (e.g.  title or serial number of Codex 
standard or related text) Canada's new provisions for the use of ascorbic acid 
in canned (naming the fruit) and canned (naming the vegetable) are the same as 
provisions for the use of this additive in these foods in Australia and New Zealand, the European Union, as well as provisions in the international Codex General 
Standard for Food Additives (GSFA). 
[ ] World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) (e.g. Terrestrial or Aquatic 
Animal Health Code, chapter number)    
[ ] International Plant Protection Convention (e.g. ISPM number)    
[ ] None Does this proposed regulation conform to the relevant international standard?   
[X] 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 19 February 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) : 19 February 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) : 19 February 2015 
[ ] Trade facilitating measure   
12. Final date for comments: [ ] Sixty days from the date of circulation of the 
notification and/or (dd/mm/yy) : 5 May 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 Extend the Use of 
Ascorbic Acid as a Preservative in Canned (naming the fruit) and Canned (naming the 
vegetable) at a Maximum Level of Use Consistent with Good Manufacturing Practice" is 
available through the following weblink:  
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0045/index-eng.php  (English) 
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/cons ult/nom-adm-0045/index-fra.php  (French)