Notice of Proposal to Prohibit the Use of Partially Hydrogenated Oils in Foods - Reference Number: NOP/ADP-C-2017-3

April 7, 2017

Notice to the reader:

The online consultation is now closed.

On September 15, 2017, Health Canada published the Notice of Modification: Prohibiting the Use of Partially Hydrogenated Oils (PHOs) in Foods – Reference Number: NOM/ADM-C-2017-3 confirming it decision to proceed with prohibiting the use of PHOs.

Background

Since the early 2000s, Health Canada has pursued a multi-faceted approach aimed at reducing the trans fat intakes of Canadians. This included: mandatory labelling of trans fats in the Nutrition Facts table, the setting of regulatory criteria for the use of “trans fat free” claims, as well as the adoption of voluntary targets for trans fats in processed foods accompanied by a monitoring program.

Although this approach has proven successful in reducing trans fat levels in the Canadian food supply, and by extension Canadians’ intakes of trans fat, some foods still contain industrially produced trans fats, namely from partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs). This can be a health concern for Canadians who choose these foods regularly, and for vulnerable subpopulations that are at risk for higher trans fat intakes, such as children and teens, Canadians in remote areas and price sensitive consumers.

In response to her 2015 Mandate Letter, the Minister of Health launched the Healthy Eating Strategy, which included among its many initiatives, a proposal to prohibit the use of PHOs in foods. This was followed by a pre-consultation which ended January 13, 2017.

It is the intention of Health Canada to implement this prohibition by adding PHOs to Part 1 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods as described in the information document. The information document outlines the rationale for the proposed prohibition along with the proposed mechanism and timeline for industry compliance. It also provides the appropriate contact information for those wishing to submit any feedback or new information for Health Canada’s consideration.

Information Document

Contact Information

Health Canada's Food Directorate is committed to reviewing any new information relating to this proposal. Anyone wishing to submit new information or to submit any inquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail, fax or electronically. If you wish to contact the Food Directorate by fax or electronically, please use the words “PHO NOP” in the subject line. Health Canada is able to consider information received by June 21, 2017, 75 days from the date of this posting.

Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada
251 Sir Frederick Banting Driveway
Tunney’s Pasture, PL: 2203E
Ottawa, ON K1A 0L2
Email: bns-bsn@hc-sc.gc.ca
Fax: 613-941-6636

Openness and Transparency on Healthy Eating Initiatives

The Government of Canada is committed to openness and transparency. Health Canada will support this commitment by:

  • making more information available to Canadians
  • providing more opportunities to participate in discussions on government policies and priorities

Formal written submissions in response to this consultation will continue to be summarized and made publicly available.

However, ‎the individual submissions may be released upon request under the Access to Information Act.

All other correspondence and all meetings with stakeholders will be published monthly online in list format, including the:

  • organization name
  • date
  • subjects
  • purpose of the meeting
  • title of any documents provided during meetings

This includes correspondence and meetings related to healthy eating initiatives in which opinions, information, and requests for information are communicated to inform the development of:

  • policies
  • guidance
  • regulations

‎Further information on Health Canada's new approach to openness and transparency.

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