Health Canada’s Food Directorate has assessed L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (also called alpha GPC or choline alfoscerate) as a supplemental ingredient. This is one of the ingredients the Food Directorate previously identified for further assessment since it was an ingredient that was present in product(s) that were previously eligible to transition to the food regulatory framework from the natural health products regulatory framework under Temporary Marketing Authorizations.

The Food Directorate concluded that information related to the safety of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine supports its safe use in supplemented foods, as a source of supplemental choline, provided the levels of use do not exceed the previously established maximum levels for choline, and that certain other labelling requirements are met; as set out in the table below. Therefore, Health Canada proposes to enable the use of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine as a source of supplemental choline by modifying the choline entry in the List of permitted supplemental ingredients as shown in the table below (in bold).