Natural health products (NHPs) are a class of health products used to restore or maintain good health. These include vitamin and mineral supplements, herbal remedies, traditional and homeopathic medicines, probiotics and enzymes.
At the heart of this system is the Natural Product Number (NPN), an eight-digit number located on the product label. Found on all licensed NHPs for sale in Canada, this number means that the product has been assessed by Health Canada and deemed to be safe, effective and of high-quality. And best of all, it’s completely traceable.
Getting engaged in NHP Week is as easy as walking into one of the more than 200 CHFA Member participating natural health stores across the country. Pamphlets and brochures are available at these locations, as well as knowledgeable natural health advisors who can answer your NHP-related questions.
Canada is a global leader in the regulation of natural health products (supplements). Our current regulations take into account the unique properties and low-risk nature of these products, ensuring you have access to supplements that are safe, effective and high-quality, while respecting your freedom of choice, and the philosophical and cultural diversity of our country.
Health Canada has recently launched a proposal called the Consulting Canadians on the Regulation of Self-Care Products in Canada, which proposes changes that could significantly alter the way natural health products are regulated, and impact many of products you use on a daily basis. Why try to fix a system that isn’t broken? This proposal will be a step backward instead of forward.
These changes could:
– Cause many of the supplements that you use to disappear forever.
– Increase the cost of the products that are left.
– Reduce the amount of information available to you about the natural health products you rely on.
CHFA Members have been helping sending letters to Health Canada and filling in the online consultation for several weeks until October 24. Although the deadline to fill in the consultation is now passed, you can still help generate awareness by sending a message to your Member of Parliament, letting him or her know this is not OK. You can do this in just three easy steps — it takes less than a minute, just click here.
CHFA is encouraging ALL Canadians to take the time and respond to help bring awareness to this important issue to ensure we all have access to safe and effective natural health products. Take action now before it’s too late!
