Interhealth links with Nealanders for Canadian market

This move is not usual as US companies often announce partnerships with Canadian counterparts who can market and distribute their supplement ingredients or products on the ground.

Not only do companies look to their Canadian peers for their networks, contacts and staff in the country, but also for their knowledge of the regulatory environment.

"That certainly is an aspect we were looking for," Gary Shap, Interhealth's director of sales for North America, told NutraIngredients-USA.

Unlike the US, Canadian regulations for dietary supplements stipulate pre-market controls for the products.

The Natural Health Products Directorate (NHPD), a division of Health Canada has regulations covering 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.

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.

As part of the exclusive agreement with InterHealth, Nealanders will manage the sales and marketing of the company's products in Canada for the supplement, food and beverage, and animal nutrition markets.

"This will allow us to better support our customers in Canada," said Shap.

InterHealth Nutraceuticals develops and markets specialty nutritional ingredients for supplements and functional foods and beverages.

Its branded products include Super Citrimax, Chromemate, UC-II, Aller-7, Optiberry, L-OptiZinc, Protykin and ZMA.

Shap said the agreement will run for a few years and be renewed if both parties are happy with the outcome.