interim marketing authorization regarding the use of a blend of allura red brilliant blue fcf sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine as colouring agents in lumpfish caviar health canada has received a submission to permit the use of a blend of allura red brilliant blue fcf sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine as colouring agents in lumpfish caviar at a level of 800 ppm. the maximum level of use for allura red sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine singly or in combination would be 550 ppm and the maximum level of use for brilliant blue fcf would be 300 ppm. evaluation of available data supports the safety and effectiveness of allura red brilliant blue fcf sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine as colouring agents in the production of lumpfish caviar. therefore it is the intention of health canada to recommend that the food and drug regulations be amended to permit the use of allura red sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine as colouring agents in the production of lumpfish caviar singly or in combination at a maximum level of use of 550 ppm and to permit the use of brilliant blue fcf as a colouring agent in the production of lumpfish caviar at a maximum level of use of 300 ppm with a total level of the four colours not to exceed 800 ppm. 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 allura red sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine u to a maximum level of use of 550 ppm and to permit the use of brilliant blue fcf u to a maximum level of use of 300 ppm in the production of lumpfish caviar while the regulatory process is undertaken to formally amend the regulations. the total level of use of the four colours should not exceed 800 ppm. the proposed regulatory amendments would be enabling measures to allow the sale of additional foods containing allura red brilliant blue fcf sunset yellow fcf and tartrazine as colouring agents. 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 the canada gazette part ii