Why is Canadas approach to discretionary fortification different than other countries?
Internationally, the Codex Alimentarius Commission of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization has set out general principles for the addition of vitamins and minerals to foods. However, each country determines its own policy or regulations. As a result, approaches to fortification vary widely throughout the world. Health Canada’s science-based approach has resulted in what could be considered a typical Canadian approach. For example, our proposed discretionary fortification limits are more conservative than the United States, but more liberal than some European countries. It should also be noted that the US has not updated its approach in more than 25 years.
