interim marketing authorization regarding the use of sodium bisulphate as a ph adjusting agent in a variety of unstandardized and standardized foods health canada has received a submission to permit the use of sodium bisulphate as a ph adjusting agent in a variety of unstandardized foods including pasta unstandardized canned fruit and vegetables unstandardized desserts toppings and fillings prepared salads unstandardized table syrups unstandardized beverages beverage mixes and unstandardized beverage concentrates unstandardized salad dressings and sauces and snack bars at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice. the submission also requested that sodium bisulphate be permitted in foods subject to standards set out in division 7 division 8 and division 11 specifically mayonnaise salad dressing processed cheddar cheese processed cream cheese processed gouda cheese processed jack cheese processed monterey cheese processed mozzarella cheese processed muenster cheese processed cheese food cream cheese spread canned corn canned green beans canned peas canned carrots canned sweet potatoes canned yams canned tomatoes canned mushrooms canned olives canned pickles and relish canned peaches canned pears pineapple and canned applesauce at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice. evaluation of available data supports the safety and effectiveness of sodium bisulphate as a ph adjusting agent in these food products. the use of sodium bisulphate will benefit both consumers and industry by reducing the requirement for salt in food processing with an overall reduction in the levels of sodium in the final food. therefore it is the intention of health canada to recommend that the food and drug regulations be amended to permit the use of sodium bisulphate as a ph adjusting agent in unstandardized foods and the foods subject to standards as indicated above at levels 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 sodium bisulphate in the standardized and unstandardized foods listed above at levels consistent with good manufacturing practice while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend the regulations. the proposed regulatory amendments would be enabling measures to allow the sale of additional foods containing sodium bisulphate as a ph adjusting agent. the amendments are supported by the safety assessment and would have low impact on the economy and the environment. consequently the regulatory amendments may proceed directly to final approval and publication in canada gazette part ii.