Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Update the Permitted Uses of Amaranth in Foods

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a re-evaluation of the permitted uses of the food colour amaranth as described in the notice of Health Canada's Proposal to Modify the Currently Permitted Uses of the Colouring Agent Amaranth in Various Foods [NOP/AVP-0023] that was published on 4 January 2017, and open to the public for comments for 75 days.Health Canada has updated the permitted uses for amaranth to reduce the possibility of excessive dietary exposure to this food colour, while continuing to allow uses of interest to the food industry. The update was done by modifying the List of Permitted Colouring Agents as described in the information document, effective 3 November 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. The information document also summarizes Health Canada's responses to the comments received during the comment period that accompanied the Department's notice of proposal.