Interim Marketing Authorization
Addition of Folic Acid to Goat's Milk
Government Notices - Department of Health - Food and Drugs Act / Food and Drug Regulations Amendment
Health Canada has received a submission to permit the optional addition
of folic acid to goat's milk to bring the level up that found
naturally in cow's milk. Goat's milk is deficient in folic acid,
having only about one-tenth of the level of folic acid found in
cow's milk. Provision currently exists in the Food and Drug
Regulations for the addition of folic acid to evaporated goat's
milk at a higher level consistent with its potential use as an infant
formula. Health Canada has completed a safety assessment of the new
proposal to add folic acid to goat's milk and considers this request
to be in the public interest. This nutrient addition is consistent with
the General Principles for the Addition of Essential Nutrients to
Food published in the Codex Alimentarius, under the Joint Food and
Agriculture Organization of the United Nations/World Health Organization
(FAO/WHO) Food Standards Programme.
This amendment will benefit industry by making it possible to render the
nutritional value of goat's milk equivalent to cow's milk with
respect to folic acid and it will increase the choice and nutritional
quality of products available to consumers.
Therefore, it is the intention of Health Canada to recommend the
amendment of the Food and Drug Regulations to permit the optional
addition of folic acid to fluid or dried whole, skimmed or partly
skimmed goat's milk to a minimum level of 5 micrograms and a maximum
level of 10 micrograms folate per 100 mL goat's milk when
ready-to-serve.
The addition of vitamins to goat's milk continues to be optional.
Nevertheless, manufacturers who choose to add folic acid to fluid or
dried whole, skimmed or partly skimmed goat's milk are also required
to add the vitamins indicated under subsections B.08.029 (1) and (2) and
at the prescribed levels.
As a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system while
enhancing the nutritional well-being of consumers, an Interim Marketing
Authorization(IMA) is being issued to permit the immediate optional
addition of folic acid in goat's milk as indicated above while the
regulatory process to amend the Regulations formally is undertaken.
April 17, 1998
J.Z. LOSOS, M.D.
Assistant Deputy Minister
Health Protection Branch
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