Canada’s Health Claims Rules: Raising the Bar for Food & Supplement Integrity

Canada’s food and dietary supplement industry is entering a new era where health claims can no longer serve as loosely worded marketing hooks. Health Canada regulations and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) compliance have introduced a wave of Regulatory updates designed to ensure that every health-related statement is scientifically substantiated, clearly presented, and transparent to consumers.

These reforms are not minor tweaks; they signal a fundamental tightening of standards that will reshape product development, marketing strategies, and labeling for years.

Canadian Health Claims Under the Microscope

In Canada, a health claim can be any written, visual, or symbolic statement on packaging or advertising that links a food or ingredient to a health benefit. Under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations, these claims must be:

• Truthful and non-misleading
• Scientifically substantiated with credible, peer-reviewed evidence
• Compliant with strict wording requirements for specific claim types

The major categories include:

• Disease Risk Reduction & Therapeutic Claims – Allowed only with explicit Regulatory approval and robust clinical data. No re-wording permitted. Require pre-market approval by Health Canada.
• Function & Nutrient Function Claims – Must reflect well-established nutrient roles but still require documented scientific support.
• Probiotic & General Health Claims – Subject to specific rules and review for accuracy.
• Implied & General Claims – Evaluated holistically for the overall impression left on consumers.

This means marketing teams can no longer rely on creative phrasing or loosely defined wellness claims—every statement must withstand Regulatory and scientific scrutiny.

Supplemented Foods: A New Labeling Standard

From caffeinated beverages to vitamin-fortified snacks, “supplemented foods” now face more structured oversight. Key updates effective in 2025 include:

• Supplemented Food Facts Table (SFFt) replaces the traditional Nutrition Facts Table.
• Centralized ‘Caution’ section grouping all safety warnings.
• Supplemented Food Caution Identifier on labels for quick risk recognition.
• Full compliance by December 31, 2025, as Temporary Marketing Authorizations (TMALs) are phased out.

For brands, this means reworking label design and reassessing formulations to ensure they meet compositional limits and avoid triggering excessive warnings.

Natural Health Product Labeling: Bigger Labels, Clearer Risks

The Natural Health Product (NHP) labeling overhaul kicks in on June 21, 2025, requiring:

• Standardized Product Facts Tables listing ingredients, uses, warnings, allergens, and contact information.
• Highly visible expiry dates and lot numbers.
• Mandatory bilingual allergen warnings and risk statements.

While existing products have until June 2028 to transition, newly licensed NHPs must comply immediately, creating an urgency for pipeline products to adapt.

The Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutritional Labeling Revolution

By January 1, 2026, foods high in saturated fat, sugars, or sodium will carry a mandatory front-of-pack nutrition symbol. This change will instantly shift consumer perception at the shelf—potentially impacting sales of reformulation-resistant products.

For marketing teams, the challenge will be to maintain brand appeal while displaying potentially deterrent icons.

Why This Matters to Manufacturers and Brand Owners

These reforms are not just compliance updates—they’re market reshapers.

• Product Development: R&D must prioritize evidence-backed formulations that can legally support claims.
• Marketing: Creative teams must work within tight Regulatory wording frameworks.
• Label Redesign: Graphic design, printing, and packaging workflows will need major overhauls.
• Supply Chain & Inventory: Businesses must time production and distribution to avoid being caught with non-compliant stock after deadlines.

Failing to comply risks recalls, product seizures, reputational harm, and lost market access—consequences that are far costlier than early adaptation.

Next Steps for Industry Leaders

1. Audit all current and planned health claims for compliance.
2. Redesign labels to meet 2025 supplemented food and NHP requirements.
3. Prepare scientific substantiation files for every claim—ready for inspection.
4. Track FOP regulations and nutrient thresholds for 2026.
5. Engage Regulatory experts to navigate interpretations and pre-market submissions.

Conclusion:

Canada’s 2025 Regulatory framework goes beyond compliance checklists; it elevates industry credibility, safeguards consumer trust, and ensures that only scientifically substantiated claims reach the market. With the support of Freyr’s Regulatory experts, navigating these changes becomes a smoother, more efficient process. Brands that proactively align with these standards will manage the transition effectively and position themselves as leaders in a marketplace increasingly shaped by transparency and evidence. Connect with Freyr to get started.