Foods

Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Supplemented Foods)

This regulatory proposal aims to establish a regulatory framework for supplemented foods in Canada. Canada considers supplemented foods to be prepackaged foods containing one or more supplemental ingredients, such as vitamins, mineral nutrients, amino acids, and other ingredients (e.g. caffeine, herbal extracts), which have historically been marketed as providing specific physiological or health effects. This includes, for example, beverages with added minerals marketed for hydration, caffeinated energy drinks (CEDs) marketed for temporarily restoring mental alertness, and snack bars with added vitamins marketed for the maintenance of good health. Currently, these foods are temporarily permitted on the Canadian market on a case-by-case basis.

The proposed regulatory framework would consist of establishing permitted supplemental ingredients and their conditions of use, food categories permitted to be supplemented, as well as requirements regarding labelling and claims. A number of amendments to Part B and Part D of Canada's Food and Drug Regulations are being proposed.

The consultation period that opened on 26 June 2021 has now been extended from 25 August 2021 to 24 September 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).