Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate received a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of calcium carbonate as a colouring agent in the manufacture of hard and soft candies and in inks for writing on various confections. 

Calcium carbonate is already permitted as food additive for use in Canada in various foods, including unstandardized confectionery, in the List of Permitted Emulsifying, Gelling, Stabilizing or Thickening Agents,theList of Permitted pH Adjusting Agents, Acid-Reacting Materials and Water Correcting Agents, and the List of Permitted Food Additives with Other Accepted Uses.

As no safety concerns were raised through Health Canada's assessment, the Department has enabled the use of the food additive calcium carbonate, as described in the information document below, by updating the List of Permitted Colouring Agents, effective September 6, 2018.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for any inquiries or for those wishing to submit any new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.

Information document

To obtain an electronic copy of the Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Colouring Agents to Enable the Use of Calcium Carbonate in Unstandardized Confectionery - Reference Number: NOM/ADM-0124, please contact our publications office or send an e-mail to hc.publications-publications.sc@canada.ca with the subject heading "hpfb BCS nom-adm-0124-eng".

Contact Information

Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new scientific information on the safety in use of any food additive, including calcium carbonate. Anyone wishing to submit new scientific information on the use of this additive or to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate electronically, please use the words "Calcium Carbonate (NOM-0124)" in the subject line of your e-mail.

Bureau of Chemical Safety, Food Directorate

Supporting Information

Food Additives