interim marketing authorization regarding the use of citric acid as a ph-adjusting agent in various standardized vegetable products english and french pages 2765-2766 provision currently exists in the food and drug regulations the regulations for the use of citric acid as a ph-adjusting agent in a variety of standardized and unstandardized foods. health canada has received submissions for the use of citric acid as a ph-adjusting agent in various standardized vegetable products at a maximum level of use consistent with good manufacturing practice. these specific standardized vegetable products are - tomato paste - concentrated tomato paste - tomato juice - tomato pul - tomato puree - canned diced red peppers - canned sweet red bell peppers - canned palm hearts - canned okra - canned fruit pods of moringa oleifera lam. containing the seeds peas - canned squash - canned bitter melon - canned guar cluster beans - canned peas - canned yams - canned potatoes - canned salsifies - canned marinated artichoke crowns - canned marinated mediterranean salad the use of citric acid will benefit consumers through the availability of quality canned vegetable products named above with improved shelf-life stability and appearance. this use will also benefit the industry by facilitating the manufacture of these canned vegetable products. therefore it is the intention of health canada to recommend that the food and drug regulations be amended to permit the use of citric acid as a ph-adjusting agent in the standardized vegetable products listed above at a maximum level 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 as indicated above while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend the regulations. a revision to this notification will be published at the start of the amendment process and members will be given the opportunity at that time to submit comments on this proposed measure