Natural Health Product Directorate (NHPD)

As part of the Health Products and Food Branch of Health Canada, the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) is the regulating authority for natural health products for sale in Canada. Their role is to ensure that Canadians have ready access to natural health products that are safe, effective and of high quality while respecting freedom of choice and philosophical and cultural diversity.

The Natural Health Products Regulations are the result of a comprehensive and inclusive consultation process with Canadian consumers, academics, health care practitioners and industry stakeholders, and are a part of the Government's response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Health's report and 53 recommendations on the regulation of natural health products (NHPs) in Canada. The Regulations include provisions on:

• Product licensing;
• Site licensing;
• Good manufacturing practices;
• Adverse reaction reporting;
• Clinical trials;
• Labelling; and
• Provisions for a full range of health claims that will be supported by evidence.

Products that fall within these Regulations include herbal remedies, homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals, traditional medicines, probiotics, amino acids and essential fatty acids. In addition, many everyday consumer products, such as certain toothpastes, antiperspirants, shampoos, facial products and mouthwashes are also classified as NHPs in Canada because of their medicinal ingredients and intended uses.

The Natural Health Products Regulations came into force on January 1, 2004, and apply to all NHPs as of this date. NHPs with a valid Drug Identification Number (DIN) have six years (until December 31, 2009) to obtain a product licence under the Regulations.

The Compliance Policy for Natural Health Products, and the Natural Health Products Compliance Guide, explain Health Canada's approach with respect to non-compliant NHPs on the Canadian market. Part A of the Compliance Guide lists substances that can and those that cannot be considered natural health products.

Information on natural health products that have been licensed for sale in Canada is available in the Licensed Natural Health Products Database.

This, and other information on Health Canada and the NHP Directorate can be found here.

Food Directorate

Mission:

In support of Health Canada's mission to help Canadians, maintain and improve their health, the Food Directorate is the federal health authority responsible for establishing policies, setting standards and providing advice and information on the safety and nutritional value of food.
The focus of the Food Directorate is in the following areas:

•    chemical and microbiological contaminants of foods, such as heavy metals or E. coli
•    food additives, such as aspartame
•    food processes such as canning and irradiation
•    novel foods, including genetically modified foods
•    nutrition, including vitamins and nutrients
•    transmissible spongiform encephalopathies

Key activities in these areas include:

•    conducting scientific research
•    conducting health risk and benefit assessments
•    developing policies, standards and guidelines, such as for approval of new food additives
•    evaluating submissions from the food industry
•    providing information to support Canadians in their decisions about food and diet

This, and other information Health Canada and the Food Directorate can be found here.