interim marketing authorization regarding the use of caffeine and caffeine citrate as food additives in non-alcoholic carbonated water-based flavoured and sweetened beverages other than cola type beverages health canada has received a submission to permit the use of caffeine and caffeine citrate as food additives in non-alcoholic carbonated water-based flavoured and sweetened beverages other than cola type beverages. the maximum level of use of caffeine and caffeine citrate calculated as caffeine used singly or in combination in these beverages would be 150 ppm in the finished product. this authorization is intended to provide for the addition of caffeine and caffeine citrate to the beverages commonly referred to as carbonated soft drinks other than cola type soft drinks. this authorization does not change the provisions for the use of caffeine and caffeine citrate in cola type beverages which will continue to be permitted at a maximum level of use of 200 ppm in the finished product. therefore it is the intention of health canada to recommend that the food and drug regulations be amended to permit the use of caffeine and caffeine citrate as food additives in non-alcoholic carbonated water-based flavoured and sweetened beverages other than cola type beverages at a maximum level of use of 150 ppm used singly or in combination in the finished product. as a means to improve the responsiveness of the regulatory system an interim marketing authorization is being issued to permit the immediate use of caffeine and caffeine citrate as indicated above while the regulatory process is undertaken to amend the regulations. the unstandardized foods described above are exempted from sections b.01.043 and b.16.007 of the food and drug regulations. the proposed regulatory amendments would be enabling measures to allow the sale of the beverages described above containing the food additives caffeine and caffeine citrate. the amendments are supported by the safety assessment and would have a 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