Notifications for Canada (1150 notifications)

The proposed maximum residue limit (PMRL) document for spiropidion notified in G/SPS/N/CAN/1471 (dated 25 January 2023) was adopted 19 April 2023. The proposed MRLs were established via entry into the Maximum Residue Limits Database and are provided directly below:MRL (ppm)1      Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity 7.0                      Dried tomatoes 5.0                      Potato flakes 3.0                      Dry soybeans 1.5                      Potatoes, tomato paste 1.0                      Bell peppers, non-bell peppers0.9                      Cantaloupes, muskmelons (other than those listed in this item), pumpkins, watermelons, Winter squash0.8                      Cucumbers, tomatoes 1 ppm = parts per millionMRLs established in Canada may be found using Health Canada’s Maximum Residue Limit Databasehttps://pest-control.canada.ca/pesticide-registry/en/mrl-search.html) on the Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/maximum-residue-limits-pesticides.html). The database allows users to search for pesticides or for food commodities.

The proposed maximum residue limit (PMRL) document for clethodim notified in G/SPS/N/CAN/1474 (dated 30 January 2023) was adopted 25 April 2023. The proposed MRLs were established via entry into the Maximum Residue Limits Database and are provided directly below:MRL (ppm)1 Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity3.0             Napa Chinese cabbages2.0             Green onions (crop subgroup 3-07B)20.6             Leaf petioles vegetables (crop subgroup 22B)0.3             Buckwheat0.09           Celeriac tops3, rutabaga tops31 ppm = parts per million2 The current established MRL for "Onions" at 0.2 ppm is revised to "Dry bulb onions" at the same MRL value to reflect current terminology.3 Celeriac and rutabaga roots are excluded from this MRL action as an MRL of 0.3 ppm is already established on these commodities.The commodities included in the listed crop groups/subgroups can be found on the Residue Chemistry Crop Groups webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/residue-chemistry-crop-groups.html) in the Pesticides section of the Canada.ca website.MRLs established in Canada may be found using Health Canada’s Maximum Residue Limit Databasehttps://pest-control.canada.ca/pesticide-registry/en/mrl-search.html) on the Maximum Residue Limits for Pesticides webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/maximum-residue-limits-pesticides.html). The database allows users to search for pesticides or for food commodities.

Health Canada's Food Directorate has assessed L-alpha-glycerylphosphorylcholine for use in supplemented foods. This ingredient was previously identified by the Food Directorate for further assessment since it was an ingredient that was present in product(s) that were eligible to transition to the food regulatory framework, from the natural health products 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 information document. 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.

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 by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective 27 April 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.

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-22 is to consult on the listed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for mandestrobin that have been proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).MRL (ppm)1       Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity4.0                        Leaf lettuce0.08                     Head lettuce1 ppm = parts per million

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-21 is to consult on the listed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for clopyralid that have been proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).MRL (ppm)1  Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity0.4                   Bulb onions (crop subgroup 3-07A)0.1                    Bushberries (crop subgroup 13-07B)21 ppm = parts per million2 An MRL of 0.1 ppm is currently established for "blueberries". This MRL will be expired, as the individual commodities of highbush blueberries and lowbush blueberries (both terms reflect current crop terminology) will be covered by the proposed MRL on Bushberries (crop subgroup 13-07B).The commodities included in the listed crop groups/subgroups can be found on the Residue Chemistry Crop Groups webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/residue-chemistry-crop-groups.html) in the Pesticides section of the Canada.ca website.

This corrigendum concerns the raw agricultural commodities indicated in part 6 of the English and French notification G/SPS/N/CAN/1427. The notification reports the maximum residue limits (MRLs) proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) as: MRL (ppm)1 Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity 6.0             Bushberries (crop subgroup 13-07B) 4.0             Caneberries (crop subgroup 13-07A) 2.0             Stone fruits (crop group 12-09), raisins 1.5             Small fruits vine climbing, except fuzzy kiwifruit (crop subgroup 13-07F) 0.4             Pome fruits (crop group 11-09) 0.03           Tree nuts (crop group 14-11)1 ppm = parts per millionThe MRLs were proposed as imported commodities from the United States, with pending US registration of the chemical and establishment of American tolerances. In addition to the import MRL application, applications were submitted for Canadian registration of the use of pyraziflumid on apples alone, at a proposed MRL of 0.4 ppm (as apples are part of crop group 11-09). Given that the American registration decision remains pending, the application for the import MRLs has been withdrawn in Canada. As such, no import MRLs for pyraziflumid will be established at this time. Health Canada will establish an MRL on apples alone:MRL (ppm)1 Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity 0.4             Apples1 ppm = parts per million

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has recently completed a review of its fruit tree import requirements and domestic plum pox virus (PPV) program. As a result, the CFIA has developed two new plant health policy directives:·         D-22-01: Phytosanitary requirements for the importation of fruit tree material for propagation or decorative use as fresh cut branches, which outlines the import requirements for propagative plants and plant parts of Chaenomeles spp., Cydonia spp., Malus spp., Prunus spp., and Pyrus spp.·         D-22-02: Phytosanitary requirements for the domestic movement of Prunus spp., plant material to prevent the spread of plum pox virus (PPV) within Canada, which outlines the domestic movement requirements for all Prunus spp., plant material as it relates to plum pox virus (PPV) within Canada. Directive D-22-01Directive D-22-01 serves to amalgamate the fruit tree-specific import requirements from all origins into a single document, including those that were previously only found in CFIA’s Automated Import Reference System (AIRS) and not otherwise included in a specific plant health policy directive.While most of the requirements outlined in directive D-22-01 remain consistent with current import requirements, the CFIA is proposing several changes to reflect current science, including the eligibility requirements of decorative branches and cut flowers, true seedlings, and Prunus spp., from Europe. The list of superseded policies, as well as details of all proposed changes, can be found on pages 1 and 2 of this directive.Directive D-22-02Directive D-22-02 summarizes the domestic movement requirements specific to PPV within Canada. As such, the requirements found within directive D-22-02 will supersede all domestic requirements found within directive D-99-07: Policy for Importation from the United States and Domestic Movement of Plum Pox Virus (PPV) susceptible Prunus Propagative Plant MaterialThe requirements outlined in directive D-22-02 remain consistent with CFIA’s current domestic movement requirements outlined in directive D-99-07, with the exception of a few minor changes which are summarized on page 1 and 2 of D-22-02. These changes have been made according to the most recent science and are commensurate with risk to ensure the continued protection of Canada’s fruit tree industry and mitigate the risk of new introductions of regulated pests into Canada.

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking authorization for the use of beta-amylase (β-amylase) from Bacillus flexus AE-BAF in mochi and dango, which are glutinous rice cakes. The requested maximum level of use for this food enzyme is Good Manufacturing Practice.The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of β-amylase from B. flexus AE-BAF for its requested use. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of β-amylase from this source as described in the information document by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective 28 March 2023.The purpose of the 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.

In 2020, Health Canada extended the use of potassium phosphate, dibasic to the same foods and at the same maximum levels of use as was permitted for sodium phosphate, dibasic. One of the new uses for potassium phosphate, dibasic was in sour cream as was set out for sodium phosphate, dibasic in the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening AgentsThis list also sets out permitted uses for certain other food additives in sour cream. For 14 of the food additives, the list sets out a condition of use in Column 3 that limits the total amount of the food additives permitted in sour cream when they are used in combination. Sodium phosphate, dibasic is excluded from this in-combination condition of use. Potassium phosphate, dibasic should similarly have been excluded when it was authorized for use in sour cream in 2020.Also, Column 3 of the French version of the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents correctly set outs that carob bean gum and gelatin can each be used singly in sour cream at a maximum level of use of 0.5%. This maximum level of use for these two additives, used singly, was missing from the English version of the list.This Notice describes the action Health Canada has taken to correct these errors by modifying the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents, effective 31 March 2023.The purpose of the 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.

Health Canada has published its updated “Policy on Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods”, which replaces the version dated 1 April 2011. This document sets out Health Canada’s policy relating to the application, implementation and verification of control measures for Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat foods sold in Canada. It is intended to support the interpretation and application of the Food and Drugs Act (sections 4 and 7), in the context of protecting consumers from foodborne listeriosis. The updated policy will come into effect on 1 October 2023.

The proposed maximum residue limit (PMRL) document for ipflufenoquin notified in G/SPS/N/CAN/1469 (dated 5 January 2023) was adopted 23 March 2023. The proposed MRLs were established via entry into the Maximum Residue Limits Database and are provided directly below:MRL (ppm)1     Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity0.15              Pome fruits (crop group 11-09)0.01             Almond nuts 1 ppm = parts per million

The proposed maximum residue limit (PMRL) document for florylpicoxamid notified in G/SPS/N/CAN/1463 (dated 7 November 2022) was adopted 20 March 2023. The proposed MRLs were established via entry into the Maximum Residue Limits Database and are provided directly below:MRL (ppm)1     Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity0.02              Eggs; fat, meat, and meat by-products of cattle, goats, horses, hogs, poultry and sheep; milk0.015            Rapeseeds (crop subgroup 20A) (revised)0.01              Dried shelled beans, except soybeans (crop subgroup 6-21E); dried shelled peas (crop subgroup 6-21F); wheat (crop subgroup 15-21A); sugar beet roots1 ppm = parts per million

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is proposing amendments to the Health of Animals Regulations, Part XV: Livestock Identification and Traceability, regarding identifying and traceability requirements for livestock species within Canada and identification requirements for import and export.The proposed amendments to the Heath of Animals Regulations would expand the scope, and improve the accessibility, timeliness and accuracy of animal identification and movement information, apply new requirements to both currently regulated species (bison, cattle, sheep and pigs) as well as proposed species (goats and cervids) that would now be regulated. Updates to the requirements for animal identification and records will also increase agility and efficiency throughout the traceability system.The amendments will address the identified gaps in the current livestock traceability system by:·         adding farmed cervids and goats as regulated species;·         include movement reporting requirements for all domestic movements of regulated species;·         reduce the time to report information to a central database from 30-60 days to 7 days for all species;·         and require more accurate location data be reported via the provincial premises identification programs which allocate premises identification numbers to agricultural sites.By addressing the gaps in the livestock traceability system, the regulatory proposal will strengthen the ability to protect Canada’s food supply and animal resource base and reduce the impact of various events on Canada’s national herd and the Canadian agriculture economy.Conforms with the World Organization of Animal Health’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code, section 4.1 – General principles on identification and traceability of live animals.

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-19 is to consult on the listed maximum residue limit (MRL) for mefentrifluconazole that has been proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).MRL (ppm)1     Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity0.15             Legume vegetables (crop group 6-21), except dry lentils and dry soybeans21 ppm = parts per million2 The currently established MRL of 0.15 ppm for crop group 6 (except dry lentils and dry soybeans) will be extended to include all commodities in crop group 6-21 (except dry lentils and dry soybeans). The MRLs already established for dry lentils and dry soybeans at 2.0 ppm and 0.4 ppm, respectively, will not change as a result of this PMRL action.The commodities included in the listed crop groups/subgroups can be found on the Residue Chemistry Crop Groups webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/residue-chemistry-crop-groups.html) in the Pesticides section of the Canada.ca website.

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-20 is to consult on the listed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for prothioconazole that have been proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).MRL (ppm)1     Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commoditty0.9               Dried shelled beans, except soybeans (crop subgroup 6-21E); dried shelled peas (crop subgroup 6-21F)21 ppm = parts per million2 The currently established MRL of 0.9 ppm for crop subgroup 6C, except soybeans will be extended to include all commodities within crop subgroup 6-21E (dried shelled beans, except soybeans), and crop subgroup 6-21F (dried shelled peas).The commodities included in the listed crop groups/subgroups can be found on the Residue Chemistry Crop Groups webpage (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/consumer-product-safety/pesticides-pest-management/public/protecting-your-health-environment/pesticides-food/residue-chemistry-crop-groups.html) in the Pesticides section of the Canada.ca website.

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking authorization for the use of acetic acid as a crystallization aid and washing agent in the manufacture of 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), which is to be used as an ingredient in infant formula and nutritional supplements for children one to three years of age (12-47 months).Acetic acid is already permitted for use in Canada in various foods as a pH adjusting agent or as a preservative.The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of acetic acid for its described use in the manufacture of 2'-FL. Consequently, Health Canada has extended the use of this food additive as described in the information document by modifying the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses, effective 27 February 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.

Health Canada has completed a review of aluminum in foods in Canada and is proposing to revise certain permitted uses of aluminum-containing food additives. The proposed changes to the Lists of Permitted Food Additives are described in the information document referenced below.The purpose of this communication is to publicly announce the Department's intention in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for inquiries or for those wishing to submit new scientific information relevant to Health Canada's scientific assessment.Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing new scientific information on the safety in use of any food additive that is permitted in Canada or is under consideration for approval in Canada, including already-permitted aluminum-containing food additives.Health Canada is able to consider information received by 22 May 2023, 75 days from the date of this posting.

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-18 is to consult on the listed maximum residue limits (MRLs) for cyantraniliprole that have been proposed by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA).MRL (ppm)1                 Raw Agricultural Commodity (RAC) and/or Processed Commodity2.0                        Edible-podded asparagus beans, edible-podded Chinese longbeans21.0                         Dry asparagus beans, dry Chinese longbeans, dry crowder peas, dry field beans, dry sweet lupins, dry white lupins, dry white sweet lupins30.2                        Succulent shelled crowder peas, succulent shelled sweet lupins, succulent shelled white lupins, succulent shelled white sweet lupins41 ppm = parts per million2 The 2.0 ppm MRL currently established for edible-podded legume vegetables (crop subgroup 6A) is proposed to be extended to edible-podded asparagus beans, and edible-podded Chinese longbeans.3 The 1.0 ppm MRL currently established for dried shelled pea and bean (except soybean) (crop subgroup 6C) is proposed to be extended to dry asparagus beans, dry Chinese longbeans, dry crowder peas, dry field beans, dry sweet lupins, dry white lupins, and dry white sweet lupins.4 The 0.2 ppm MRL currently established for succulent shelled pea and bean (crop subgroup 6B) is proposed to be extended to succulent shelled crowder peas, succulent shelled sweet lupins, succulent shelled white lupins, and succulent shelled white sweet lupins.

The objective of the notified document PMRL2023-15 is to consult on the proposed MRL revocation for pyrethrins on raw cereals identified in the PMRL.