interim marketing authorization regarding the use of citric acid and sodium citrate as ph adjusting agents and as sequestering agents in all standardized and unstandardized marine and fresh water animal products excluding fresh fish health canada has received a submission to permit the use of citric acid and sodium citrate as ph adjusting agents and as sequestering agents in all standardized and unstandardized marine and fresh water animal products excluding fresh fish at levels of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. evaluation of available data supports the safety and effectiveness of citric acid and sodium citrate as ph adjusting agents and as sequestering agents in the production of these food products. the use of citric acid and sodium citrate will benefit consumers by maintaining the flavour texture and colour of food products and by contributing to better cooking results. it will also benefit industry through more efficient and improved manufacturing conditions. therefore it is the intention of health canada to recommend that the regulations be amended to permit the use of citric acid and sodium citrate as ph adjusting agents and as sequestering agents in the production of glaze for frozen fish frozen fish fillets frozen fish and frozen minced fish as set out in section b.21.003 at levels of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. it is also the intention of health canada to permit the use of citric acid and sodium citrate as ph adjusting agents and as sequestering agents in the production of frozen crustaceans frozen molluscs other frozen marine invertebrates frozen marine mammals frozen lobster frozen crab frozen shrim and frozen clams as set out in section b.21.004 prepared fish and prepared meat as set out in section b.21.006 and preserved fish and preserved meat as set out in section b.21.021 all at levels of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. as a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system an interim marketing authorization ima is being issued to permit the immediate use of citric acid and sodium citrate as indicated above while the regulatory process is undertaken to amend the regulations. the proposed regulatory amendments would be enabling measures to allow the sale of additional foods containing citric acid and sodium citrate used as ph adjusting agents or as sequestering agents. the amendments are supported by the safety assessment and would have low impact on the economy and on the environment. consequently the regulatory amendments may proceed directly to final approval and publication in the canada gazette part ii