http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml

May 29, 2011

OTTAWA, May 29, 2011: The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is warning the public about the possibility of Di-Ethyl Hexyl Phthalate (DEHP) being added to certain foods and beverages imported from Taiwan.

The CFIA iss actively working with Health Canada, international food safety partners and importers to identify the affected products that may be in the Canadian market. Affected products will be subject to recall and posted to the CFIA website.

The health risks from phthalates are associated with prolonged exposure. Based on the information available to date, the levels of DEHP used fraudulently in the foods that have been implicated in the current food recalls in Taiwan are unlikely to lead to any acute toxic effects. For more information on phthalates visit http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ahc-asc/media/nr-cp/_2011/2011_07fs-eng.php

Although the immediate health risk associated with these products is considered to be low, this advisory is being issued as a result of the Government of Canada’s ongoing investigation into phthalates in products that may have been imported into Canada.

Updates on the CFIA activities related to phthalates are available at http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/concen/specif/phthal/phthale.shtml or by calling 1-800-442-2342 / TTY 1-800-465-7735 (8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time, Monday to Friday).

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/corpaffr/newcom/2011/20110529e.shtml