Regulatory Updates

Distribution date: 07 October 2003

Salvadorian Mandatory Standard (NSO) No. 67.01.04:03 (first revision) establishing the characteristics of and specifications for fresh unripened cheese. This technical regulation covers the purpose, scope of application, definitions, classification and designation, raw and other materials, specifications and characteristics, microbiological analysis methods, physico-chemical analysis methods, packaging and labelling, conformity with other standards, and monitoring and verification.

Products Covered: Fresh unripened cheese (Harmonized System heading 04.06)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 07 October 2003

Salvadorian Mandatory Standard (NSO) No. 67.01.04:03 (first revision) establishing the characteristics of and specifications for fresh unripened cheese. This technical regulation covers the purpose, scope of application, definitions, classification and designation, raw and other materials, specifications and characteristics, microbiological analysis methods, physico-chemical analysis methods, packaging and labelling, conformity with other standards, and monitoring and verification.

Products Covered: Fresh unripened cheese (Harmonized System heading 04.06)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 06 October 2003

Products Covered: Poisonous substance: Fluorosulfonic acid (HS:28), Tungsten hexafluoride (HS:28), Titanium trichloride (HS:28) Deleterious substance: Methyl N-{2-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3- yloxymethyl} (N-methoxy)carbamate (HS:29)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 06 October 2003

Products Covered: Poisonous substance: Fluorosulfonic acid (HS:28), Tungsten hexafluoride (HS:28), Titanium trichloride (HS:28) Deleterious substance: Methyl N-{2-1-(4-chlorophenyl)-1H-pyrazol-3- yloxymethyl} (N-methoxy)carbamate (HS:29)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 25 September 2003

- Materials for approval - Application form

Products Covered: Sanitizer and disinfectant for food contact materials

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 25 September 2003

- Materials for approval - Application form

Products Covered: Sanitizer and disinfectant for food contact materials

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 19 September 2003

The regulation establishes a list of approvals concerning disinfectants, cleaning agents and similar products for use in the food industry, etc. The competent authority approves the products after an evaluation done by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The evaluation is based on certain documentation mentioned in the Annex 1 of the regulation. The regulation also contains certain requirements for labelling of these products. For disinfectants and similar products the approval period will be five years. For cleaning agents the approval period will be ten years. The applicant has to send a new application by the end of these periods to get a new approval.

Products Covered: Disinfectants, cleaning agents and other similar products for use in food industry, etc.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 19 September 2003

The regulation establishes a list of approvals concerning disinfectants, cleaning agents and similar products for use in the food industry, etc. The competent authority approves the products after an evaluation done by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. The evaluation is based on certain documentation mentioned in the Annex 1 of the regulation. The regulation also contains certain requirements for labelling of these products. For disinfectants and similar products the approval period will be five years. For cleaning agents the approval period will be ten years. The applicant has to send a new application by the end of these periods to get a new approval.

Products Covered: Disinfectants, cleaning agents and other similar products for use in food industry, etc.

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 September 2003

Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations (the Regulations) for the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in a variety of standardized and unstandardized foods. Health Canada has received submissions for the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in various standardized vegetable products at a maximum level of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. These specific standardized vegetable products are: - tomato paste - concentrated tomato paste - tomato juice - tomato pulp - tomato puree - canned diced red peppers - canned sweet red bell peppers - canned palm hearts - canned okra - canned fruit pods of Moringa oleifera Lam. containing the seeds [‘peas’] - canned squash - canned bitter melon - canned guar (cluster) beans - canned peas - canned yams - canned potatoes - canned salsifies - canned marinated artichoke crowns - canned marinated Mediterranean salad The use of citric acid will benefit consumers through the availability of quality canned vegetable products named above with improved shelf-life, stability and appearance. This use will also benefit the industry by facilitating the manufacture of these canned vegetable products. Therefore, it is the intention of Health Canada to recommend that the Food and Drug Regulations be amended to permit the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in the standardized vegetable products listed above at a maximum level of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. As a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system, an Interim Marketing Authorization (IMA) is being issued to permit the immediate use of citric acid, as indicated above, while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend the Regulations. A revision to this notification 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.

Products Covered: Citric acid in various standardized vegetable products (ICS: 67.020, 67.080.20, 67.160.20)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 18 September 2003

Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations (the Regulations) for the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in a variety of standardized and unstandardized foods. Health Canada has received submissions for the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in various standardized vegetable products at a maximum level of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. These specific standardized vegetable products are: - tomato paste - concentrated tomato paste - tomato juice - tomato pulp - tomato puree - canned diced red peppers - canned sweet red bell peppers - canned palm hearts - canned okra - canned fruit pods of Moringa oleifera Lam. containing the seeds [‘peas’] - canned squash - canned bitter melon - canned guar (cluster) beans - canned peas - canned yams - canned potatoes - canned salsifies - canned marinated artichoke crowns - canned marinated Mediterranean salad The use of citric acid will benefit consumers through the availability of quality canned vegetable products named above with improved shelf-life, stability and appearance. This use will also benefit the industry by facilitating the manufacture of these canned vegetable products. Therefore, it is the intention of Health Canada to recommend that the Food and Drug Regulations be amended to permit the use of citric acid as a pH-adjusting agent in the standardized vegetable products listed above at a maximum level of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. As a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system, an Interim Marketing Authorization (IMA) is being issued to permit the immediate use of citric acid, as indicated above, while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend the Regulations. A revision to this notification 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.

Products Covered: Citric acid in various standardized vegetable products (ICS: 67.020, 67.080.20, 67.160.20)

Regulation Type: Regular notification