Health Canada’s Natural and Non-prescription Health Products Directorate (NNHPD) has officially published 19 updated Natural Health Product (NHP) monographs as part of the January 30, 2026 load. These updates affect a wide range of botanical ingredients, amino acids, and commonly used actives across the Canadian NHP market.
For regulatory teams, manufacturers, and brand owners, this publication is an important checkpoint to ensure product dossiers, ingredient references, and label content remain fully aligned with the most current Natural Health Products Ingredients Database (NHPID) standards.
Published NHP Monograph Updates
Health Canada has now published comprehensive updates to 19 NHP monographs as part of the January 30, 2026 load. These updates span a broad range of botanical ingredients, amino acids, and commonly used actives, and they introduce important refinements to dosing, preparation methods, terminology, and supporting references. The updated monographs can be grouped as follows:
Regular adjustments to 15 monographs
Avens, Betaine, Betaine hydrochloride, Bilberry (buccal), Calendula (oral), Calendula (topical), Carrot, Catnip, Ground ivy (oral), Hyssop, L-Glutamine, L-Theanine, L-Tyrosine, Quercetin, Rutin, and Taurine.
These updates include routine clarifications intended to improve consistency across the NHPID and strengthen alignment with the scientific references cited in each monograph. In several cases, Health Canada refined the way ingredient information is presented to ensure that definitions, preparation details, and allowable claims are clear and fully supported by the underlying evidence. The adjustments also help harmonize the structure and formatting of the monographs, which supports more predictable interpretation by industry and reduces the likelihood of discrepancies during product reviews.
Reformatted dose sections for three monographs
Bearberry, Blessed thistle (oral), and Boldo.
Health Canada clarified dosing by separating preparations into two categories, powdered or ethanolic extracts and aqueous extracts. Reference supported doses were higher for aqueous preparations, and this was not accurately reflected when preparation types were previously combined.
Expanded information for Globe artichoke
Globe artichoke received broader updates informed by EMA 2018, including:
- New methods of preparation such as soft extract concentrates
- Doses associated with these preparations
- Inclusion of preparations from fresh leaves
- Adjustments to common names for consistency
Minor Revisions to Previously Updated Monographs
Five monographs received small but relevant corrections:
- Panax quinquefolius: Addition and correction of English and French common names.
- Garlic: Correction of an English typo.
- Antioxidants: Globe artichoke common name alignment and the removal of Rutin and Quercetin from storage conditions.
- Echinacea purpurea: Publication date updated to December 19, 2025 for tracking accuracy.
- Cognitive functions: Updates related to Panax quinquefolius, L-Tyrosine, and removal of L-Theanine from Table 5, since no risk statement exists in its single ingredient monograph.
New Prebiotic Monograph Consultation Now Open
Health Canada has also opened a 15-business-day consultation on the newly proposed prebiotic monograph. The consultation began on February 2, 2026 and will remain open until February 20, 2026. Stakeholders may request a copy of the draft monograph by contacting nnhpd.consultation-dpsnso@hc-sc.gc.ca. After reviewing the draft, feedback can be submitted to the same email address before the consultation deadline.
The proposed monograph is expected to define what constitutes a prebiotic in the context of Schedule A of the Natural Health Products Regulations, outline acceptable sources of prebiotic ingredients, and provide direction on dose ranges that are supported by current scientific evidence. It will also aim to clarify the types of health claims that may be used, ensuring that any structure or function claims remain compliant, substantiated, and consistent across the NHP marketplace.
By introducing a dedicated monograph, Health Canada is signalling a move toward greater standardization and predictability for companies working with prebiotic ingredients. This is particularly relevant given the rapid growth of prebiotic formulations in supplements, functional foods, and microbiome related health products. A well defined monograph will help reduce ambiguity during application reviews, streamline the submission process for future product licences, and support more consistent interpretation by both regulators and industry stakeholders.
Companies that currently market prebiotic containing products, or those considering adding prebiotic ingredients to their portfolios, are encouraged to review the consultation document carefully and provide feedback. Industry input will help shape the final scope of the monograph and ensure that the regulatory framework reflects current scientific understanding while also remaining practical for manufacturing and product development.
What This Means for NHP Companies
Now that the updated monographs have been published, companies should conduct a thorough review of their existing product licences to confirm that all information remains consistent with the updated requirements. It is advisable to re-evaluate ingredient references and verify that sourcing details, preparation methods, and dose ranges align with the newly published standards.
Product claims and their supporting evidence should also be reassessed to ensure that they continue to fall within the parameters set by the updated monographs. In addition, labels and dosage directions should be reviewed to confirm that they accurately reflect any revisions to preparation types, dose ranges, and common names.
Although Health Canada has noted that the recent updates are not expected to significantly impact currently licensed products, completing this review remains an important best practice. Doing so helps reduce the risk of compliance issues and ensures continued alignment with the most current regulatory expectations.
SNI Regulatory Services for NHP Compliance and Monograph Update Implementation
SNI Regulatory Services provide end-to-end support for NHP, helping brands and manufacturers maintain compliance with Health Canada requirements, including the integration of newly published monograph updates. Our team reviews product formulations, dosing, claims, ingredient references, and label text to confirm alignment with the most current standards in the NHPID. We assess the impact of updated monographs on your existing product licences, identify any required adjustments, and prepare clear recommendations to support smooth implementation.
By maintaining close awareness of all monograph updates, SNI enables companies to anticipate compliance requirements in advance, minimise the likelihood of unexpected information requests, and ensure that regulatory documentation remains current and accurate. This level of oversight supports uninterrupted market continuity and helps ensure that products remain fully aligned with evolving Health Canada expectations across the Canadian NHP landscape.
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