Regulatory
REGULATORY NEWS FOR THE WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 26, 2022
Health Canada’s Food Directorate is holding technical webinars on Wednesday, October 12, 2022 related to the Supplemented Foods Regulations published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on July 20, 2022. Register for the webinar here. Environment and Climate Change Canada is pleased to inform you of the publication of two new guidance documents available relating to the Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations. The new guidance is comprised of a fact sheet and information on laboratory test methodology. The Substances Search tool has been updated with information current as of Sept 12th, 2022. The US Food and Drug Administration announced its “Closer to Zero” project about a year ago, in response to concerns about contaminants in foods that present risks to US consumers. This initiative was, in part, a response to a congressional review of heavy metals such as mercury, lead, cadmium, and arsenic in baby foods. In particular, the report identified concerns about the lack of testing for mercury as well as the unexpectedly high levels of any of these metals. Very few food processors (other than those who process certain types of fish) test for mercury, primarily because it is assumed that mercury levels are very low in the ingredients used in their products. But recent surveys suggest that for some food categories, such as foods for babies, that mercury testing should become part of the manufacturer’s standard test methods. Additionally, detectable levels for lead, arsenic, and cadmium suggest that baby food may have more of these metals present than is safe for the health of the babies who consume them. When you are developing your food safety plan, it is critically important to consider who the end consumer of your products might be as some demographic groups such as infants or pregnant or breastfeeding women, are more susceptible to contaminants than those people in general populations. This review article shares some insights into the kinds of metals and the amounts of metals being found in baby foods. It is also an example of why it is important to be transparent about your safety programs. Food processors who did not supply data to the study are not presented in a favourable light. The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of malic acid for its requested use in honey wine. Consequently, Health Canada has enabled the use of malic acid described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted pH Adjusting Agents, Acid-Reacting Materials and Water Correcting Agents, effective September 23, 2022. The Centre for Plant Health is Canada’s only post-entry quarantine, research and diagnostic facility dedicated to the protection of tree fruit, grapevines and small fruit. Looking to learn more about research aimed at plant health protection? The CFIA’s Plant Research Seminar Series is an opportunity for CFIA plant scientists and partners to share their research and engage with those who are interested in all things plant health. Health Canada would like to inform you of a recorded webinar about the initial information-gathering consultation on exceptions to the Prescription Drug List. We would like to inform you that Health Canada has launched a consultation on one of the topics of interest to you. The Government of Canada is taking a major next step in tackling these emissions with the release of Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy. The 2022–24 Action Plan outlines a series of initiatives to give people access to the information and tools they need to better understand the impacts of climate change, to protect against misinformation and disinformation, to advance corporate transparency, to address their legal problems, and to encourage participation in fair, democratic processes.
The Ontario government is investing up to $2 million over two years in the Fertilizer Accelerating Solutions & Technology Challenge. This funding will support made-in-Ontario solutions to increase the availability of fertilizer options, alternatives and technology, ensuring farmers have the tools they need so that Ontarians can rely on a safe and stable food supply. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) has initiated a Fall Harvest Strategy focused on educating and inspecting farm operations that employ temporary foreign agriculture workers. The initiative has begun and runs September 14 to November 30, 2022. The provincial government released its renewed climate change action plan on September 21st, which will help the province adapt to climate change while steering New Brunswick toward a greener future. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update two voluntary consensus standards in its Formaldehyde Emission Standards for Composite Wood Products final rule under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). An informal stakeholder meeting regarding the rulemaking project for the Process Safety Management (PSM) standard, will be held on October 12, 2022. The meeting will be held virtually. The Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS) hosts webinars on research relevant to dietary supplements and related topics. The seminar series is available by webinar only. The Coast Guard is proposing to align the Liquid Chemical Categorization tables with the 2020 Edition of the International Code for the Construction and Equipment of Ships Carrying Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk and the International Maritime Organization’s Marine Environment Protection Committee’s Circular 25. The updated tables would provide a list of the liquid hazardous materials and liquefied and compressed gases approved for international and domestic maritime transportation, and indicate how each substance is categorized by its pollution potential, safe carriage requirements, chemical flammability, combustibility, and compatibility with other substances. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration is publishing this Advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to solicit feedback on potential adjustments to the statutorily mandated hazardous materials registration and fee assessment program. The California Air Resources Board approved a statewide plan for attaining the federal health-based standard for ozone, typically experienced as smog. The 2022 State Implementation Plan Strategy identifies the state’s control strategy for meeting the federal 70 parts per billion, 8-hour ozone standard over the next 15 years. The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has launched a consultation on a proposal to restrict the manufacture, use and placing on the market of substances, mixtures and articles containing medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) as well as other substances containing chloroalkanes with carbon chain lengths ranging from C14 to C17 (EC -, CAS -) with PBT and/or vPvB properties. The European Commission is looking for feedback on a draft act that would introduce new hazard classes as part of its revision to the CLP Regulation. Have your say by 18 October 2022. The proposal introduces Endocrine Disrupting Substances will have 2 Categories for human health and 2 Categories for the environment. Safety Share Canadian Institute of Food Science and Technology (CIFST) ALT launched in 2021 as a virtual event that focused on alternative food products, alternative technologies and innovative alternatives to how the food industry produces and distributes products to end users. The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association (CASA) co-ordinates, develops and leads national initiatives to help farmers, their families and workers recognize and manage safety risks. Safety starts with identifying hazards. Some are obvious, staring us in the face. This symposium will address drug development of products that contain nanomaterials in their formulation and how the newly finalized guidance to industry for products that contain nanomaterials can be implemented in filings to the FDA. This educational, two-day in person event will address topical workplace challenges employers face and provide insight on how to create a healthy and safe work environment. The discussions will also focus on hot topics in Food Safety Management Systems. The Global Forum on Environment on Mercury will bring together leading actors in the field of chemicals and waste management of mercury to promote effective engagement, collaboration and action on eliminating or reducing mercury from the supply chain. SQF Unites offers a unique combination of educational formats and engagement activities that you can tailor to meet your company and personal goals. Reserve for this complimentary session where we will discuss some of the updates expected in the soon to be released new CSA Z432 Safeguarding of Machinery standard.Advocacy
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