Health Canada says it is preparing for the possibility that a shortage of sunflower oil could exacerbate difficulties in the supply of infant formula in the country.
Posted at 4:10 p.m.
The federal agency says it is “working closely with manufacturers” who use sunflower oil as an important ingredient in the production of their infant formula.
The collaboration includes, in particular, the acceleration of the evaluation process for any replacement ingredient in order to ensure that the product still meets Canadian quality criteria. Such an ingredient substitution is “considered a major change that requires pre-market assessment.”
Between them, Ukraine and Russia are responsible for half of the world’s sunflower oil exports, but since the Russian invasion Vladimir Putin’s regime has been accused of blockading Ukrainian ports and so on. prevent the delivery of this staple food.
Meanwhile, Health Canada says it will extend temporary imports of infant formula from Europe and the United States to bail out the supply chain.
The initial strategy to open the market to 20 formulas approved for consumption in Europe and the United States was scheduled to end on June 30. In a statement sent by email, Health Canada confirms that this policy will be extended without offering further details.
The national spokesperson for the Retail Council of Canada said the organization has been advised that the extension will stretch to December 30, 2022.
Last week, the federal agency acknowledged the existence of a shortage of specially formulated formula for babies with allergies or certain health conditions.
A massive product recall announced in February shut down production at Abbott Nutrition’s Michigan plant, exacerbating the supply crisis and shortage already present in the United States due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While not as severe north of the border, the shortage is still being felt among members of the Retail Council of Canada. They had to impose quantity limits on online and in-store orders in order to meet the demand of all their customers.
In its statement sent by email, Health Canada refers to an urgent situation mainly because of the essential nature of this product for the health of infants.
The agency does not exclude the possibility of taking new measures if necessary to inform Canadians of any risk related to the supply of this resource.
The temporary measure to expand imports came into effect on March 10 in a bid to prevent a shortage of infant formula. In particular, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was recommended to suspend the application of the labeling rules for certain products from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Germany that meet the product standards comparable Canadians.