Open Government Portal

Arsenic is naturally occurring in the environment, and very low levels are present in various foods. Elevated arsenic exposure from drinking water has been associated with a variety of serious adverse health effects, with potential effects noted in vulnerable populations such as infants and children. Rice and rice-containing products are a major contributor to dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in all ages, including infants and young children. In June 2020, Health Canada’s Food Directorate issued a Notice of Modification (NOM, NOM/ADM C-2020-1) to add maximum levels (ML) for inorganic arsenic in polished (white) and husked (brown) rice.

Food contaminants and other adulterating substances are chemicals that may be present in foods at levels that could impact the overall safety and/or quality of foods. These substances can either be inadvertently present in foods or in some cases intentionally added for fraudulent purposes. Establishing maximum levels (MLs) is a form of risk management that may be employed to reduce exposure to a particular chemical contaminant in foods.

Food contaminants and other adulterating substances are chemicals that may be present in foods at levels that could impact the overall safety and/or quality of foods. These substances can either be inadvertently or naturally present in foods or, in some cases, intentionally added for fraudulent purposes. Establishing a prohibition or a maximum level (ML) is a form of risk management that may be employed to eliminate or reduce exposure to a particular chemical contaminant in foods.

foods. These substances can either be inadvertently or naturally present in foods or, in some cases, intentionally added for fraudulent purposes. Establishing a prohibition or a maximum level (ML) is a form of risk management that may be employed to eliminate or reduce exposure to a particular chemical contaminant in foods.

Therefore, Health Canada added two new maximum levels for inorganic arsenic in polished (white) and husked (brown) rice, respectively, to Part 2 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods, effective June 5, 2020, as described in the information document.

Food contaminants and other adulterating substances are chemicals that may be present in foods at levels that could impact the overall safety and/or quality of foods. These substances can either be inadvertently or naturally present in foods or in some cases intentionally added for fraudulent purposes. Establishing a prohibition or a maximum level (ML) are forms of risk management that may be employed to eliminate or reduce exposure to a particular chemical contaminant in foods.

Arsenic is naturally occurring in the environment, and very low levels are present in various foods. Elevated arsenic exposure from drinking water has been associated with a variety of serious adverse health effects, with potential effects noted in vulnerable populations such as infants and children. Health Canada has conducted a scientific assessment, provided below, which supports updating the maximum level (ML) for total arsenic in fruit juice and fruit nectar. Health Canada is proposing to lower the existing ML to values that are as low as reasonably achievable based on the fruit juice and nectar type.

Therefore, Health Canada lowered the maximum levels for lead in infant formula, effective July 3, 2020, by modifying Part 2 of the List of Contaminants and Other Adulterating Substances in Foods as described in the information document.

Setting Maximum Levels for Contaminants in Foods

The List of Maximum Levels for Various Chemical Contaminants in Foods specifies an ML of 50 parts per billion (p.p.b.) (expressed in the list as 50 µg/kg or micrograms per kilogram) for patulin in apple juice, including the apple juice portion of any juice blends or drinks, and unfermented apple cider.