On July 27, 2021, the Health Canada's Food Directorate published the safety assessment “Notice of Modification to the List of Permitted Preservatives to Extend the Use of Dimethyl Dicarbonate in Certain Alcoholic Beverages”.
The amendment outlines the use of the preservative as follows:
- Dimethyl dicarbonate (DMDC) is already permitted for use as a preservative in unstandardized water-based non-alcoholic beverages and wine.
- The use of DMDC as a preservative in fruit wine, cider, and perry (a product of the alcoholic fermentation of pear juice) is approved with this document.
- The maximum use level of DMDC in these beverages is 250 parts per million.
- Information related to allergenicity, chemistry, microbiology, nutrition, and toxicology supports the safety of dimethyl dicarbonate.
- The use of DMDC has been enabled by modifying Part 3 of the List of Permitted Preservatives.
The regulation is effective from July 27, 2021.
To view the complete regulation, check out the Food News Monitoring System.