Background

Health Canada's Food Directorate completed a premarket safety assessment of a food additive submission seeking approval for the use of lipase from Candida rugosa in certain standardized cheeses, namely cheddar, camembert, feta, gouda, mozzarella, provolone, and some processed cheeses.

Lipase from other sources is already permitted for use in Canada in these cheeses, and lipase from C. rugosa is also permitted for use in dairy-based flavouring preparations. However, lipase from C. rugosa is not a permitted source for use in any of cheeses named above.

The results of the premarket assessment support the safety of lipase from C. rugosa for its requested uses. Consequently, Health Canada has extended the use of lipase from C. rugosa, and updated the name of this source to "Candida cylindracea" to reflect its most recent taxonomic identification, as described in the information document below by modifying the List of Permitted Food Enzymes, effective January 11, 2022.

The purpose of this communication is to publically announce the Department's decision in this regard and to provide the appropriate contact information for inquiries or for those wishing to submit new scientific information relevant to the safety of this food additive.