. /.WORLD TRADE
ORGANIZATIONG/SPS/N/CAN/52
8 March 1999
(99-0919)
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):  Tertiary
butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ)
4. Title and number of pages of the notified document:   Proposed Amendment to the Food
and Drug Regulations (1164) (pages 595-597)
5. Description of content:   A submission has been received to amend the Food and Drug
Regulations to provide for the use of tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) as an antioxidant
in fats and oils sold as foods or used as food ingredients in Canada.  At the present time,
there is no provision for the use of this particular food additive under Division 16 of the
Food and Drug Regulations.  It is proposed to amend these Regulations to include the use ofTBHQ in fats, oils, lard and shortening singly or in combination with butylated
hydroxyanisole (BHA), butylated hydroxytoluene  (BHT) or propyl gallate (PG), the total
maximum level for all antioxidants not exceeding 0.02 per cent.
Currently, TBHQ is an approved food additive in the United States where it is permitted to
be added to fats and oils at levels up to 0.02 per cent.  TBHQ is also permitted to be used in
Australia, New Zealand and Mexico.
6. Objective and rationale:  Protection of human health
7. An international standard, guidelin e or recommendation does not exist [    ].
If an international standard, guideline or  recommendation exists, whenever possible,
identify deviations:
Have made provisions for the TBHQ at 200 mg per kg.  This level is slightly higher
than Codex.
8. Relevant documents and language(s) in which these are available:  Canada Gazette,
Part I, 27 February 1999;  English and French
9. Proposed date of adoption:  Not stated.
10. Proposed date of entry into force:  Not stated.G/SPS/N/CAN/52
Page 2
11. Final date for comments:  29 March 1999
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:            