Food and Food Supplements
The food industry is diverse and dynamic. That also means that competition is stiff. Establishing your brand as a high quality and safe brand that people trust goes a long way in obtaining customer loyalty, increasing revenue and success of your brand. A high – quality safe brand depends on a well planned and executed Food Safety Management System.
The CFIA notes that the upcoming new consolidated regulations will require food businesses that import or prepare food for export or to be sent across provincial or territorial borders to have licences, as well as preventive controls including traceability plans that outline steps to address potential risks to food safety.
If you have such a business GNHP Consulting offers customized quality programs to meet both your quality and regulatory objectives.
Temporary Market Authorization Letter (TMAL)
In Canada the regulations governing the sale of products at the food-NHP interface are a bit unclear. Foods may be classified as compliant or non-compliant. If they are compliant, only a compliant label in both English and French is required. For products that fall into the non-compliant category, a pre-market approval before market will be required. That approval is called a Temporary Market Authorization Letter (TMA).
Examples of non-compilant food are:
- Foods fortified with vitamins/minerals/amino acids.
- Foods fortified with energy ingredients e.g caffeine, taurine, glucoronolactone.
- Foods considered novel or containing novel ingredients.
We can help you determine whether your product is a food or a food supplement that requires an pre-market approval and then help you with the TMA application as well. Since it is not clear sometimes where your product belong, we can review your product and help you to figure out where it belongs. Here is a pointer, if it is your plan to make a health claim/benefit with recommended use or purpose, then your product will be regarded as an NHP. See NHP Regulations.
Consumer Packaging and Labeling Act
In Canada, there are laws governing consumer packaging and labelling of products such as pre-packaged foods and other foods. At the core of the act, all information on a food label must be accurate, truthful and not misleading and must include minimum core labeling requirements in both English and French:
- The common name of the food.
- A net quantity declaration.
- The identity and principal place of business & country of origin.
- Dates to include a “best before”, “packaged on” or “expiration” date.
- Storage instructions.
- A list of ingredients & allergen labelling.
- A Nutrition Facts table when required.
With all the changes that are coming up, many companies are gearing up to comply with the changes and avoid incurring losses in revenue due to unforeseen delays. We can help with Nutritional Analysis & Food labeling Compliance Pre-market. We are here to help you stay compliant.
Food and Supplement Regulatory Consulting in Canada
Selling food or supplemented food products in Canada means satisfying rules that differ significantly from those governing natural health products. Global NHP Consulting provides dependable guidance on food supplement regulatory compliance in Canada, helping brands classify products correctly and avoid costly enforcement action. Our team clarifies which regulations actually apply to your product before problems arise.
Misclassifying a supplemented food product creates serious legal exposure, including forced reformulation or market withdrawal. Working with a knowledgeable food compliance consultant in Canada can protect your brand from these setbacks. We review formulations, labels, and marketing claims against current standards, giving you clarity long before your product reaches store shelves or online marketplaces.
Navigating the Line Between Food and Supplement Rules
Supplemented foods occupy a regulatory space that confuses many manufacturers. Adding vitamins, minerals, or bioactive ingredients to conventional food products can trigger additional requirements beyond standard food regulations. Our consultants determine the correct classification early, preventing situations where a product gets flagged after production and marketing investment has already occurred. As a recognized Canadian food consulting agency, we review ingredient lists, permitted additive levels, and labelling claims against current federal standards, giving clients clear direction instead of guesswork when developing new products or reformulating existing lines.
Guidance Built Around Your Product Category
Clarity Where Regulations Get Complicated
Supplemented food regulations shift as ingredient combinations change, leaving many brands uncertain about compliance status. Our team monitors these distinctions closely, providing direct answers instead of vague generalities. We review your formulation against current permitted lists, flagging problematic ingredients before they delay your launch. Clients appreciate straightforward guidance that removes guesswork from an otherwise confusing regulatory category, allowing product development to move forward confidently.
What Our Food and Supplement Support Includes
Browse Our Key Service Areas
Classification Review
We determine if your product falls under food or supplemented food regulations, preventing costly missteps that could delay launch or trigger enforcement later.
Label & Claims Check
Our specialists verify labels and health claims meet current standards, protecting your brand from warnings while building consumer trust through accurate, compliant packaging.
Formulation Guidance
We advise on permitted ingredient levels and combinations, helping you develop products that satisfy regulations without sacrificing taste, function or consumer appeal.
Consultants Who Understand Canadian Food Regulations
Food regulations demand precision, and small errors can stall a promising product indefinitely. Our consultants bring years of hands-on experience reviewing formulations, labels and claims for Canadian and international clients. Global NHP Consulting connects clients with additional support from a team of NHP regulatory affairs consultants when products cross into natural health product territory. We take the time to understand your product category before recommending the most appropriate regulatory pathway. Our practical guidance helps businesses address compliance requirements with greater confidence and fewer unexpected setbacks. By keeping documentation accurate and aligned with current Canadian expectations, we support smoother regulatory submissions and ongoing compliance.
How We Support Your Product Launch
A Straightforward Path Toward Compliance
Our process moves methodically through classification, review, and documentation stages, giving your team clarity at each milestone until your product reaches full compliance.