Natural Health Product (NHP) Licensing Solutions

Is Your Natural Health Product a Food?

Is your Natural Health Product (NHP) sold in a format and serving size consistent with food use? If yes then it may well be moved to the food regulatory framework if it has not already done so. NHPs "in food format" include chewing gums, hard candies, candy bars, tea, juices and beverages.

So what if your NHP is in food format but contains an ingredient governed by NHP Regulations? Furthermore, what if the ingredient is present in levels not acceptable for food and has a health claim?

Farewell CHFA West Expo 2012

NHP Licensing Solutions attended the CHFA West Expo, April 2012.

Transition of Food-like Natural Health Products to the Food Regulatory Framework

We never believed that caffeinated energy drinks should be classed as natural health products, and now finally they are being transitioned to the food regulatory framework.

NPNs Issued for BroccoFusion Topical Products

The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has concluded that BroccoFusion Topical products (Newco Enterprises Inc.) are in compliance with section 7 of the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Regulation of Carvacrol, Active Constituent of Oil of Oregano

The use of Oil or Oregano dates back over 2,000 years and provides a range of health benefits yet the Natural Health Product Directorate (NHPD) assesses applications based on weak (by today's standards) animal toxicity studies from 1931. Should the industry accept such risk-averse policies based on archaic and flawed studies or 'push back'?

When Your Favorite Probiotic Disappears From the Local Health Food Store Will You Know Why?

An article by Marco Torres, Health Canada Wants Canadians Sick, Diseased And Addicted To Pharmaceuticals, recently appeared on the Canadian Awareness Network. According to Health Canada the regulations were created after consulting consumers, academics, health care practitioners and industry stakeholders, the aim being to address consumer concerns about the availability and safety of natural health products. However the majority of consumers are oblivious to the plight of the NHP industry, the process of getting products licensed, or the restrictions on claims despite the historical use of some herbs.

CHFA, Literally 'Cutting the Red Tape'

On the 8th of February 2012, Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) representatives held a press conference on Parliament Hill covering the topic of the Harper government's Red Tape Reduction Commission Report. To show support for the governments activities in sustaining Canadian Natural Health Products thriving industry by Getting Natural Health Product Regulations Right, Helen Sherrard (CHFA) and Marie Provost (CHFA) cut through red tape at the steps of Centre Block.

NPN Issued for Broccogen 10

The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD) has concluded that BroccoGen 10 (Newco Enterprises Inc.) is in compliance of section 7 of the Natural Health Products Regulations.

Natural Health Products - An Endangered Species?

The natural health products industry seems to be under fire from several groups; Health Canada - who are becoming ever increasingly more stringent, the pharmaceutical industry - for obvious reasons and health care professionals - who generally think natural medicine is “mumbo jumbo”.

A recent editorial published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, alleges that natural health products are not scrutinized enough by the Natural Health Product Directorate (NHPD) and that they should undergo the same assessment as pharmaceuticals.

Would such an assessment regime remove many of the natural health products on the market today?