October 23, 2025

Canada’s food and dietary supplement industry is entering a new era of regulatory compliance. Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) have rolled out significant updates to ensure that every health claim on food, beverage, and supplement products is scientifically substantiated, transparent, and consumer friendly. These reforms are not small adjustments—they represent a fundamental tightening of standards that will impact product development, labeling, and marketing strategies for years to come.

Health Claims in Canada Under the Microscope

A health claim in Canada can be any written, visual, or symbolic statement linking a food or ingredient to a health benefit. Under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations, all claims must be:

  • Truthful and non-misleading
  • Supported by credible, peer-reviewed evidence
  • Compliant with precise wording requirements

The main categories include:

  • Disease Risk Reduction & Therapeutic Claims – Require robust clinical data and pre-market approval by Health Canada. No rewording permitted.
  • Function & Nutrient Function Claims – Must reflect established nutrient roles, backed by documentation.
  • Probiotic & General Health Claims – Subject to strict review for accuracy.
  • Implied & General Claims – Evaluated holistically to ensure consumers are not misled.

???? For businesses, this means marketing can no longer rely on creative phrasing—every claim must withstand scientific and regulatory scrutiny.

Supplemented Foods: New Labeling Standards (2025)

“Supplemented foods” such as energy drinks or fortified snacks now face stricter oversight. Key updates effective December 31, 2025, include:

  • Supplemented Food Facts Table (SFFt) replacing the Nutrition Facts Table.
  • A centralized ‘Caution’ section grouping all warnings.
  • Supplemented Food Caution Identifier for quick risk recognition.
  • Phase-out of Temporary Marketing Authorizations (TMALs).

This requires label redesign and careful reformulation to meet limits while avoiding excessive warnings.

Natural Health Product (NHP) Labeling: Clearer Transparency (2025)

Starting June 21, 2025, new Natural Health Products must meet stricter labeling rules:

  • Standardized Product Facts Tables including ingredients, uses, allergens, warnings, and contact details.
  • Clear expiry dates and lot numbers.
  • Bilingual allergen warnings and risk statements.

Existing products have until June 2028 to transition, but newly licensed products must comply immediately.

Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Labeling: A 2026 Shift

By January 1, 2026, foods high in sodium, sugars, or saturated fat will require a mandatory front-of-pack symbol.

This is a game-changer:

  • Shoppers will instantly see health risks on the shelf.
  • Reformulation-resistant products could face sales declines.
  • Marketing teams must find ways to retain brand appeal despite warning symbols.

Why These Changes Matter

These updates are more than compliance—they are market-shaping reforms:

  • Product Development → Formulas must be backed by science.
  • Marketing → Only compliant, approved claims allowed.
  • Label Redesign → New regulatory tables, warnings, and icons.
  • Supply Chain → Businesses must align production timelines with compliance deadlines.

Failure to adapt risks:
 ???? Product recalls
 ???? Market access loss
 ???? Reputational damage

 

Next Steps for Industry Leaders

To prepare, companies should:

  1. Audit all health claims for compliance.
  2. Redesign labels in line with 2025 NHP & supplemented food rules.
  3. Compile substantiation files for all claims.
  4. Plan ahead for FOP labeling (2026).
  5. Engage regulatory experts to manage submissions and interpretations.

Conclusion

Canada’s evolving regulatory framework raises the bar for health claims, food labeling, and supplement integrity. These changes go beyond checklists—they strengthen consumer trust, industry credibility, and evidence-based marketing.

With the right strategy and expert guidance, companies can navigate the transition smoothly and emerge as leaders in a marketplace defined by transparency and science.

At Maven Regulatory Solutions, we support food and supplement brands with regulatory strategy, scientific substantiation, labeling compliance, and Health Canada submissions—helping businesses stay compliant while seizing opportunities in a more transparent market.