Canada – Policy update on restricting food advertising primarily directed at children

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Health Canada intends to amend the Food and Drug Regulations to restrict advertising to children of foods that contribute to excess intakes of sodium, sugars and saturated fat, as noted in our Forward Regulatory Plan. This is a part of our Healthy Eating Strategy and commitment to protecting children’s health.

Between 2016 and 2019, we consulted extensively on a policy proposal to restrict food advertising in different settings and media. We are now proposing a targeted approach to introducing restrictions, focusing on television and digital media first.

These restrictions aim to reduce children’s risk of developing overweight, obesity and diet-related chronic diseases, now and later in life. They support this objective by limiting children’s exposure to influential food advertising in media where children spend much of their time and are highly exposed to food advertising. Along with other Healthy Eating Strategy initiatives, this would support healthy food environments, which in turn contribute to healthy eating behaviours.

Health Canada is seeking your feedback on this policy update until June 12, 2023

For further information, you can access the original source in English

Canada – Notice of modification to the list of permitted food enzymes to enable the use of alpha-Amylase from Bacillus subtilis AR-651 in bread, flour, whole wheat flour and unstandardized bakery products

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Health Canada’s Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking authorization for the use of alpha-amylase (α-amylase) from Bacillus subtilis AR-651 in bread, flour, whole wheat flour, and unstandardized bakery products. The requested maximum level of use for this food enzyme is Good Manufacturing Practice.

The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of α-amylase from B. subtilis AR-651 for its requested uses. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of α-amylase from this source as described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective April 27, 2023.

The purpose of this information document is to publicly announce the Department’s decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for those wishing to submit an inquiry or new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.

For further information, you can access the original source in English

Canada – Health Canada’s notice of proposal to enable the use of L-alpha glycerylphosphorylcholine as a supplemental ingredient in foods

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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).

For further information, you can access the original source in English

Canada – Summary of Health Canada’s safety assessment of L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine for use as a supplemental ingredient

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Health Canada’s Food Directorate assessed L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine (AGPC) for safety as a supplemental ingredient in foods, based on publicly available information. The Food Directorate concluded that AGPC can be considered a source of supplemental choline and will thus be subject to the conditions of use for choline set out in the List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients. Consequently, Health Canada plans to allow the use of AGPC as a supplemental ingredient in foods under certain conditions. The conditions are outlined in the Notice of Proposal.

For further information, you can access the original source

Chile – Congress approves debate on draft regulation on the use of the term “meat”

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Congressmen approved in general -and without debate- the bill that regulates the categorization of the concept of “meat”. The initiative sought to prohibit cataloging under such denomination an edible product that is not of animal origin.

The original motion was promoted by deputies Harry Jürgensen (IND), Miguel Mellado (RN) and Gastón Von Mühlenbrock (UDI). It was also signed by former deputies Iván Flores, Fernando Meza and Mario Venegas.

The regulation establishes that the term “meat” means the edible part of the muscles of food animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, goats, camelids and other species fit for human consumption.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish