Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 16 June 2019

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a detailed safety assessment of two food additive submissions seeking approval for the use of steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni in canned fruits products. Steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni is already permitted for use in Canada as a sweetener in a variety of unstandardized foods. As no safety concerns were raised through Health Canada's assessment, the Department has enabled the use of steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni, as described in the information document below, by modifying the List of Permitted Sweeteners effective 3 April 2019. The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for any inquiries or for those wishing to submit any new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.

Products Covered: Steviol glycosides from Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni (ICS Codes: 67.220.20, 67.080.10)

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

SENASA requires that establishments engaged in the storage, marketing, transportation, distribution and use of veterinary drugs and related products comply with the CAMEVET guide to good practices for the storage, transportation and distribution of products for veterinary use.

Products Covered: Medicines for veterinary use

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

SENASA requires that establishments engaged in the storage, marketing, transportation, distribution and use of veterinary drugs and related products comply with the CAMEVET guide to good practices for the storage, transportation and distribution of products for veterinary use.

Products Covered: Medicines for veterinary use

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

The Draft Uganda standard specifies the requirements, sampling and methods of test of medical ultrasound gels.

Products Covered: Medical ultrasound gel

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

The Draft Uganda standard specifies the requirements, sampling and methods of test of medical ultrasound gels.

Products Covered: Medical ultrasound gel

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

The notified Executive Decree prohibits the import, export, manufacture, sale, use, possession and marketing of veterinary products containing colistin in their composition, either alone or combined with other chemical products, in the raw material state, finished products or products incorporated in animal feed.

Products Covered: Veterinary products containing colistin in their composition

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 08 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 07 June 2019

The notified Executive Decree prohibits the import, export, manufacture, sale, use, possession and marketing of veterinary products containing colistin in their composition, either alone or combined with other chemical products, in the raw material state, finished products or products incorporated in animal feed.

Products Covered: Veterinary products containing colistin in their composition

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 01 June 2019

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to revise the quality standard for bottled water to specify that bottled water to which fluoride is added by the manufacturer may not contain fluoride in excess of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). This action, if finalized, will revise the current allowable levels for fluoride in domestically packaged and imported bottled water to which fluoride is added. We are taking this action to make the quality standard regulation for fluoride added to bottled water consistent with the recommendation by the US Public Health Service (PHS) for community water systems that add fluoride for the prevention of dental caries. This action, if finalized, will not affect the allowable levels for fluoride in bottled water to which fluoride is not added by the manufacturer (such bottled water may contain fluoride from its source water).

Products Covered: HS Code(s): 2201; ICS Code(s): 67

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 April 2019 | Final date for Comment: 01 June 2019

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is proposing to revise the quality standard for bottled water to specify that bottled water to which fluoride is added by the manufacturer may not contain fluoride in excess of 0.7 milligrams per liter (mg/L). This action, if finalized, will revise the current allowable levels for fluoride in domestically packaged and imported bottled water to which fluoride is added. We are taking this action to make the quality standard regulation for fluoride added to bottled water consistent with the recommendation by the US Public Health Service (PHS) for community water systems that add fluoride for the prevention of dental caries. This action, if finalized, will not affect the allowable levels for fluoride in bottled water to which fluoride is not added by the manufacturer (such bottled water may contain fluoride from its source water).

Products Covered: HS Code(s): 2201; ICS Code(s): 67

Regulation Type: Regular notification

Distribution date: 05 April 2019

On the basis of the official notification of the World Organisation for Animal Health, the Committee for Veterinary Control and Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan reports outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) registered in the Voronezh region, Russian Federation. In this regard, since 8 February 2019, temporary restrictions are imposed on the importation of live poultry and hatching eggs, down and feathers, poultry meat and all kinds of poultry products that have not undergone heat treatment (not less than 70 °C), feed and feed additives for birds (except feed additives of chemical and microbiological synthesis), hunting trophies that have not undergone taxidermic treatment (feathered game), as well as used equipment for keeping, slaughter and cutting of birds.

Products Covered: Live birds and hatching eggs, down and feather, poultry

Regulation Type: Emergency notifications (SPS)