Many fresh foods travel great distances
and many foods are processed to increase shelf life. Although
developments in the food industry over time have improved food quality
and safety, there are still concerns over the nutritional content the
food actually contains. Also known as dietary supplements, nutritional
supplements are an important part of a balanced health regime and can
offer significant health benefits. Nutritional and dietary supplements
are big business. In the United States, the FDA regulates dietary
supplements. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of
1994 (DSHEA), the dietary supplement manufacturer is responsible for
ensuring that a dietary supplement is safe before it is marketed. On
January 1, 2004 The Natural Health Products Regulations came into effect
and apply to all natural health products. Natural health products that
fall under these regulations require an NPN (Natural Product Number).
Once Health Canada has assessed the product, an eight digit product
license number, preceded by the letters “NPN” will appear on the label
informing consumers that Health Canada has reviewed the product for
safety, quality, and health claims, and the product has been approved to
be marketed under the Natural Health Products Regulations and has
authorized the product for sale in Canada. The Natural Health Product
Directorate (NHPD) is the regulating authority for health products for
sale in Canada.
Nutritional supplements that are
considered food products or whole-food concentrates come under the
regulations of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and do not
require NPNs.