Natural health products; Pharmaceutics (ICS 11.120)

Regulations amending the Natural Health Products Regulations (60 pages, available in English and French)

Health Canada is proposing to amend the Natural Health Products Regulations (NHPR) to introduce the following four labelling requirements:

1) A Product Facts Table: Important information already required by the NHPR on the label of a natural health product (NHP) in a non-standardized format would be required in a standardized Product Facts table. Certain lower-risk NHPs would be exempt from the Product Facts table requirement, and flexibilities would be provided for products with packages too small to accommodate a full facts table. 

2) Labelling of food allergens, gluten and aspartame: Products containing a priority food allergen, gluten, or aspartame would require a statement indicating such in a consistent manner within the Product Facts table, or elsewhere on the label if the product is exempt from the facts table.

3) Clearly and prominently displayed label text: Text on the label, including within the Product Facts table, would be subject to improved legibility requirements, including a minimum type size, standardized font types, and colour contrast requirements. This would ensure consumers could locate, read and compare important safety information.  

4) Modernized contact information: A manufacturer or importer could display an e-mail address, telephone number, or website address within an NHP's Product Facts table (or elsewhere on the label if the NHP is exempt from the facts table requirement) instead of a postal address, as is currently required. 

In addition, Health Canada would take this opportunity to bring forward certain amendments to the NHPR for clarification only. These would neither set out new requirements nor remove existing requirements and are expected to be cost neutral to both government and regulated parties.