Canada proposes stricter selenium limits for supplemented foods

Health Canada is consulting on proposed changes to the List of Permitted Supplemental Ingredients that would significantly reduce the maximum amounts of selenium allowed in supplemented foods.

The proposal would lower the maximum selenium content in caffeinated energy drinks from 35 µg to 6 µg per serving, while the limit for other supplemented foods would fall from 69 µg to 21 µg per serving. Labelling requirements would also become stricter. All non-energy-drink supplemented foods containing selenium would have to carry the statement “Not recommended for those under 14 years old”. Products containing more than 4 µg per serving would require additional cautionary statements concerning consumption alongside other supplemented foods or supplements and maximum daily servings.

The proposal follows EFSA’s updated tolerable upper intake level (UL) for selenium of 255 µg/day for adults, compared with the previous 400 µg/day value used by Health Canada.

Industry would have until 1 January 2030 to implement necessary reformulation and labelling changes. Comments are open until 20 January 2027.