Prepackaged and prepared foods – Canada

Health Canada’s Food and Nutrition Directorate has launched a consultation regarding the notice of proposal to modify the Table of Chemical, Physical and Nutritional Characteristics of Food (Table). The Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) include requirements related to protein quality that apply to the conditions for making protein content statements and claims and to the composition of foods in certain categories. The Table sets out the values (for example, protein ratings) and corresponding method(s) of analysis for demonstrating compliance with the these requirements. The 'Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score' (DIAAS) method is not currently permitted to demonstrate compliance with these protein quality requirements. The 'Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score' (PDCAAS) method is permitted, however the prescribed methodology does not permit the use of protein digestibility values derived from in vitro assays (that is, non-human/animal). As described in the notice, Health Canada is proposing to authorize the use of the DIAAS method and two in vitro assays to determine protein digestibility values when using the PDCAAS method. The modifications to the Table would come into force the day they are published on Health Canada’s website and would include: the listing of the DIAAS method in the Table; the incorporation by reference into the FDR (through the Table) of the document Determination of the protein rating using the Digestible Indispensable Amino Acid Score…