Canada Proposes Ban on PHO by Summer 2018

Canada has announced a proposal to ban the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHO) in food by adding them to the agency’s “List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Food” by summer 2018. That deadline would bring Canada in line with the United States, where food manufacturers have until June 2018 to remove PHO from their products. The agency’s goal is to reduce trans fats for most Canadians to less than one percent of their total energy intake, which is expected to lead to a reduced risk of heart disease. Health Canada proposes defining PHO in their food and drug regulations as fats and oils that (i) “have been hydrogenated, but not to complete or near complete saturation” and (ii) “have an iodine value (IV) greater than 4.” The proposal would identify PHO as a food adulterant if present at any level. The agency will continue to consider additional information or comments on the proposal through June 21, 2017.

Issue 631