9 replies to this topic

[kyrabowden]

Hey all, 

 

I received a question from a potential co-packing customer that would like to put real gold leaf in a jam. We are SQF certified (in case that makes a difference). 

 

In the List of Permitted Food Additives, CFIA states: 

"7. Gold (1)
Unstandardized alcoholic beverages; Liqueur (1) Good Manufacturing Practice (2)
Ready-to-eat cold-smoked salmon (2) Good Manufacturing Practice. To decorate the surface."

 

However, I see plenty of Canadian companies put gold leaf in items such as chocolate for example. 

 

Basically my question is, if we make a jam with gold leaf in it and the gold leaf is certified food safe (of course), is this legal/allowed? 

Edited by kyrabowden, 12 June 2024 - 06:45 PM.

[G M]

No CFIA expert, but one question leading to "probably yes" is the serving size and the amount of gold consumed.  Gold is technically toxic at a high enough level.

[MDaleDDF]

Salt Bae says you're safe.   Now stay golden Pony Boy....

[Scampi]

CFIA will permit it provided your following GMPs which translate to:

 

using an approved supplier

 

only using small amounts of gold leaf

 

NOT including it in the net weight of your finished good as it's technically not food

[kyrabowden]

Thank you very much! 

 

CFIA will permit it provided your following GMPs which translate to:

 

using an approved supplier

 

only using small amounts of gold leaf

 

NOT including it in the net weight of your finished good as it's technically not food

[CrystalMGrim]

I would think that as gold is a chemical; that the limits of ingestion of such a chemical needs to be proven and validated.

[Scampi]

I would think that as gold is a chemical; that the limits of ingestion of such a chemical needs to be proven and validated.

 

Gold is not a chemical-it is an inert metal and therefore safe to consume in small quantities as it passes through the human digestive tract in it's entirety 

[CrystalMGrim]

Great!  Can you validate that and prove there is no risk to the consumer?  Be nice to have such information to prove

[kingstudruler1]

Eu says its probably safe.  There are some puirty parameters listed which seem logical to me

https://efsa.onlinel....efsa.2016.4362

 

It is listed as a food color in canada, but only for the uses the OP already stated.   

[G M]

Great!  Can you validate that and prove there is no risk to the consumer?  Be nice to have such information to prove

 

The manufacturer of the food grade gold leaf should be able to provide suitable product specifications to support the claim.

 

There are other much more toxic minerals in gold deposits that need to be refined out, like lead, mercury and arsenic.