New food raw material sugarcane extract and Bifidobacterium longum subspecies BB536 open for comments

The list informs industry about substances that are inappropriate for cosmetic use, are restricted in some way, or require hazard labelling. It was last updated in 2015.

The government is proposing adding the substance to the list of restricted substances, limiting concentration levels to 3%, due to "potential health concerns at previously reported concentration levels". The notice said the levels currently being used in product formulations are below the proposed limit. Other proposed changes include:

expanding the prohibited listing for chloramine T to include "related compounds" that "are currently prohibited under the sulfonamides entry";

expanding the ban on OLEANDRIN to include nerium oleander, its extracts and glycosides;

amending the restrictions on Boric Acid to bar its use in "products for use on or around mucous membranes" and in those intended for children; and

altering restrictions on methylisothiazolinone. Due to "risk of sensitisation", the agency is considering prohibiting its use in leave-on products and reducing the maximum allowed concentration in these to 0.0015%, similar to the current restriction on the combination of methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone. In addition, this restriction would be amended to clarify that the mixture cannot be used in the same product as methylisothiazolinone on its own.

The notice sent to stakeholders on 29 June says Health Canada is trying out a new process for updating the hotlist, "which may become the standard process".

It is a "pre-consultation", sent approximately three months before the start of a formal consultation. Stakeholders are invited to submit comments and additional information.

Once the proposed updates are posted on Health Canada's website, a formal 60-day comment period will open. The consultation document may include information on specific concentration limits, suggested wording for cautionary labelling or proposals to ban substances.

Health Canada will respond to comments before publishing the final revised list, which the agency expects to do five months after the end of the consultation period.