. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CAN/43
2 October 1998
(98-3828)
Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures Original:  English/
French
NOTIFICATION
1. Member to Agreement notifying:  CANADA
If applicable, name of local government involved:           
2. Agency responsible:   Department of Health
3. Products covered (tariff item number(s) as specified in national schedules deposited
with the WTO.  ICS numbers may be provided in addition, where applicable):
Brilliant Blue FCF
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Proposed Amendment to the Food
and Drug Regulations (1095) (pages 2510-2512)
5. Description of content:
Health Canada has received a submission for the use of Brilliant Blue FCF in Feta type
cheeses as a whitener to standardize the colour  of this type of cheese to compensate for
seasonal variations in milk colour used in th e production of the cheese.  Seasonal variations
are dependent on the feedstuff consumed by the animals.
Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug Regulations for the use of this colouring agent
in a variety of foods but not in Feta cheese.
This additional use of Brilliant Blue FCF has b een evaluated from the standpoint of safety and
efficacy, in accordance with section B.16.002 of the Food and Drug Regulations.  It was
concluded that the new use would not pose a health nor a fraud risk to consumers.
Therefore, the proposed amendment will provide for the use of Brilliant Blue FCF in Feta
cheese at a level of 0.1 part per million (ppm).
6. Objective and rationale:  Protection of human safety
7. An international standard, guideline or recommendation does not exist [ X ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:           
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette,
Part I, 26 September 1998;  English and French
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Not statedG/SPS/N/CAN/43
Page 2
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  Not stated
11. Final date for comments:  10 December 1998
Agency or authority designated to handle comments:   National Enquiry Point
12. Texts available from:  National enquiry point [  X ] or address, telefax number and
E-mail address (if available) of other body:            