. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  G/SPS/N/CAN/209 
26 July 2004 
 (04-3222) 
Committee on Sanitary a nd Phytosanitary Measures Original:   English/ 
 French 
 
 
 
NOTIFICATION  
 
1. Member to Agreement notifying:   CANADA  
If applicable, name of local government involved: 
2. Agency responsible:   Health Canada 
3. Products covered (provide tariff item numbe r(s) as specified in national schedules 
deposited with the WTO; ICS numbers should be provided in addition, where 
applicable):  Microcrystalline cellu lose (ICS: 67.180.20) 
4. Regions or countries likely to be affected, to the extent relevant or practicable:  not 
stated  
5. Title, language and number of pages of the notified document:   Interim Marketing 
Authorization regarding the use of microcry stalline cellulose as a bodying and texturizing 
agent in breath freshening strips (availabl e in English and French;  pages 1953-1954). 
6. Description of content:  Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations  for 
the use of microcrystalline cellulose as a bodyi ng and texturizing agent in a variety of 
foods. Health Canada has rece ived a submission to permit the use of microcrystalline 
cellulose as a bodying and texturizing agent in breath freshening strips at a maximum level 
of use of nine percent. Evaluation of availa ble data supports the effectiveness and safety of 
this new use for microcrystalline cellulose. 
Therefore, it is the intention of Health Canada to recommend that the Food and Drug 
Regulations  be amended to permit the optional use of microcrystalline cellulose as a 
bodying and texturizing agent in the manufacture of breath freshening strips at a maximum 
level of use of nine percent. 
As a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system, an Interim Marketing 
Authorization (IMA) is being issued to pe rmit the immediate use of microcrystalline 
cellulose, as indicated above, while the regulat ory process is undertaken to formally amend 
the Regulations. A revision to this notifica tion will be published at the start of the 
amendment process and Members will be given the opportunity at that time to submit 
comments on this proposed measure 
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/209 
Page 2  
 
 8. International standard, guideline or recommendation:  
[   ] Codex Alimentarius Commission, [   ] World Organization for Animal Health 
(OIE), [   ] International Plant Protection Convention, [ X ] None  
If an international standard, guideline or recommendation exists, give the appropriate 
reference and briefly identify deviations:  
9. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette, Part 
I, 17 July 2004 (available in English and French). 
10. Proposed date of adoption:   Immediate for this IMA.  For the final regulation, will be stated 
in subsequent Revision or A ddendum to this notification. 
11. Proposed date of entry into force:   Immediate for this IMA.  For the final regulation, will 
be stated in subsequent Revision or  Addendum to this notification. 
12. Final date for comments:  This document is not for comment at this time.  A comment 
period will be provided in a Re vision of this notification. 
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:  [   ] National notification 
authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, or  address, fax number and E-mail address (if 
available) of other body:    
13. Texts available from:  [   ] National notificati on authority, [ X ] National enquiry point, 
or address, fax number and E-mail address (if available) of other body: 
The electronic version of the regulat ory text can be downloaded at: 
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2004/20040717/pdf/g1-13829.pdf