Preparing for Canada's functional food regulations
communication between industry, academics and the government over
the forthcoming regulations for functional foods, and to help the
industry prepare for the future.
The Western Canadian Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Network (formerly the British Columbia Functional Foods and Nutraceutical Network) announced recently that it is strengthening relations with its counterparts in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
"We are trying to work more closely with other organisations in Western Canada, and at national level as well," WCFFNN's Dorota Zawistowska told NutraIngredients-USA.com.
The nutraceuticals sector been designated as a priority for federal funds since the 1990s. The reason for this, Zawistowska explained, is the "huge health care debt" brought about by insufficient awareness of healthy eating.
In 2004 the government committed to a 10-year, C$41bn plan to strengthen health care, which includes increasing the base funding for Canada Health Transfer by six percent annually. For 2005-6 it stood at $19bn.
$300 million was earmarked to bolster its health promotion strategies.
"A huge factor is for Canadian citizens to have improved lifestyle, in order to continue having health care for populations," said Zawistowska.
The first project involving all associations from the four Western provinces is called the Canada West Program, which has tapped funding from Advancing Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The activities of the program will take place over two fiscal years, and pertain to regulations in natural health products, with workshops including GMPs (good manufacturing practices), construction of GMP facilities, license applications, and safety and efficacy for natural products.
There will also be some business development-oriented events, such as packaging and labelling, and GRAS (generally recognised as safe) affirmation for the US market.
In 2007, an event is planned on the forthcoming regulation governing functional foods, in cooperation with Health Canada. A national steering committee of associations in functional foods and natural health products across Canada aims to develop a proposal on streamlining communication between industry, government and academia, so that feedback can be given to help shape the regulation's final form.
Zawistowska said, however, that there is no indication yet if when the regulations may come into force. Progress is slow because the government is very conservative.
"Opportunities are passing us by if we are taking so long to develop regulations," she said, but added that the flip side of this is that it ensures greater safety, which can help build trust in the industry.
For supplement products, the Natural Health Products Regulations (overseen by the Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), part of Health Canada) have been in force since January 1 2004. They also cover herbal remedies, homeopathic and traditional medicines, probiotics, amino acids and essential fatty acids, all of which have to be issued with a license before they can be sold.
The allocated natural health products number must be printed on product packaging.
Until the new regulation governing foods is finalized and put into force, functional foods may not be sold in Canada.
However there has been some confusion over the jurisdiction of the NHPD, since a health claim based on ingredients means a product is a 'natural health' product - even though it may also be marketed as food or drink.
Health Canada recently put the processing of these food and beverage license submissions on hold while the NHPD and the Foods Directorate grapple over which jurisdiction such products fall under.
There are a few exceptions to the block on functional foods however; for instance, Ocean Nutrition Canada's branded omega-3 ingredient is currently regulated as pharmaceutical under the Therapeutic Products Directorate (although it is in transition to the Natural Health Products Directorate). Health Canada has approved its use in doses up to 10mg per serving in almost all foodstuffs.
Zawistowska also stressed the export driven nature of Canadians. "We want to boost the economy, be on top of technology and collaborate with stakeholders, whether on raw materials or finished products."
According to the Canadian Heath Foods Association, retail sales of all natural health products were C$2.5bn in 2005.
