Functional Food & Nutraceutical Expertise

Since 1995, we have been regarded, worldwide, as experts in the emerging category of nutraceuticals and functional foods.

What are nutraceuticals and functional foods?

The definition of and the terms themselves "functional food" and "nutraceutical" have been subjects of considerable debate and 'nomenclature chaos'. In 1996, Health Canada's Food Directorate proposed the following working definitions:

"Functional food" is "Similar in appearance to, or may be, a conventional food, is consumed as part of a usual diet and is demonstrated to have physiological benefits and/or reduce the risk of chronic disease beyond basic nutritional functions."

"Nutraceutical" is "A product that has been isolated or purified from foods and generally sold in medicinal forms not usually associated with food. Nutraceuticals have been shown to exhibit a physiological benefit or provide protection against chronic disease."

In 2003, we were the sole Canadian invited to participate in the 2003 worldwide expert delphi-study panel convened by IGD of London, UK on "The Future of Wellness Foods" Download IGD Study

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Natural Health Products Explained

In January 2004, new legislation took effect in Canada which legally recognizes nutraceuticals as Natural Health Products. For more on this unique regulatory category, see: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/about-apropos/about-apropos-eng.php

In 2007, Health Canada undertook two activities which will effect the regulation of NHP's in the future:

First, the NHP regulations are undergoing a complete review. The legislation came into effect in January 2004 with the promise to implement a review within a 3-5 year period. A comprehensive review was initiated in Spring of 2007. Learn more at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/activit/consult/nhprr-erpsn_e.html

Second, as of Fall 2007, NHP's in food format (e.g. bars, beverages) need undergo regulatory pre-market approval by both the Natural Health Product Directorate, and the Food Directorate. Learn more at:
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/dhp-mps/prodnatur/legislation/docs/food-nhp-aliments-psn
-guide-eng.php