Blog

Recently, the CFIA announced an amendment to the timelines in for the implementation of the new Nutrition Facts Table (NFT) regulations. They have issued the following statement: While the end of the transition period for the amendments will remain December 14, 2021, the CFIA will focus its efforts on education and...

During a difficult time like a pandemic, the safety of our families and those we love is paramount. This affects those in our bubble or household—including ourselves. Scientific experts and food safety authorities around the world are closely observing the spread of COVID-19. Through this observation, evidence shows that there...

In an effort to improve the quality of Natural Health Products (NHPs) produced in (and imported into) Canada, Health Canada is revisiting and implementing a third round of an inspection program for site licensed facilities. Currently, Health Canada issues an NHP Site License following a paper-based review of evidence in...

Conducting clinical research in the COVID-19 era certainly has its challenges! Changes in study site capacities unfortunately has the potential to impact study timelines and budgets.  We are pleased to have partnered with a new private medical clinic in Winnipeg which has hospital-grade ventilation and spacious rooms to ensure that...

The Safe Food for Canadians (SFC) licence program reached its second year in commission on January 15th, 2021. As the regulations are always progressing and changing, the next phase will be coming into effect as of March 15, 2021. Food imported into Canada will automatically be rejected unless a valid...

Supplement manufacturer NOW has expressed concern over the last few years for the number of adulterated products that are being sold on Amazon, conducting independent tests of the products sold on the website to confirm their growing suspicions. Some of the tests that were conducted by NOW of other supplement...

How do Canadian consumers make point-of-sale purchasing decisions when choosing “Product A” over “Product B”? There are a few factors which come into play, including price, branding, packaging, and claims. Label claims are a great way to differentiate your food product from your competitor’s product.  Consumer research has shown that...

Winter is here, and sadly, so is dehydrated and dull skin. This is especially common in the colder months, when the humidity level drops, and the water content of our epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) tends to reflect this. Did you know that your skin loses more than...

As more and more North Americans are self-isolating, we are seeing a lot of movement behind the scenes of retail grocery stores. With enormous changes in the food-service sector and food manufacturers adapting to a new focus on customers, the food sector is learning the meaning of collaboration. At the...

Many of us are finding ourselves dreading winter this year. Usually, the things weighing on us most when the winter months arrive is the potential for getting sick with the flu, or where we’re going to travel to escape from the cold weather. Sadly, with COVID numbers higher than ever,...

Amidst COVID-19, we will soon face another challenge – the 2020-2021 influenza season. During last year’s flu season, approximately 39 million people found themselves sick with the flu, a viral infection that affects the throat, lungs and nose. What will fall and winter look like this year with both the...

COVID-19 and Consumer Behaviour Consumer behaviours and spending in Canada are settling into a new normal, as people adjust and learn to live with the realities of COVID-19. Canadian consumers remain uncertain not only about the economy, but also about the duration of the crisis as well. Although we’ve seen...

With all the talk about COVID-19, and mandatory face masks becoming the new norm in indoor public places, it’s become confusing to many on which type of face mask would be best for them. Recently, the CDC recommended that everyone – either sick or someone not showing any COVID-19 symptoms...

It is no surprise that disinfectants and hand sanitizers have been in the public eye recently due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although they do not claim to kill viruses, hand sanitizers can help reduce the risk of infection by spread of microorganisms. As a result, Health Canada has introduced new...

Health Canada has announced that beginning July 1, 2020, industry will be able to distribute, as samples to the general public and a broader category of health care providers, certain over-the-counter drugs (OTC) and natural health products (NHP) as a strategy to encourage their use on a trial basis. This...

Recently, several dietary supplement products have been recalled because of Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) violations. GMP are part of the quality assurance process that ensures products are safe to use and are of quality. We’ve written about the importance of having a traceability program in the past–and it’s still just as crucial to have...

2020 not only represents the start of a new decade, but it is definitely proving to be a year to be remembered!  The Source Team has conducted a regulatory roundup to help keep our clients connected with all the latest developments in the Canadian health products sector. Read on to...

CHFA West – A great new experience this year for our Food Regulatory Manager, Leanne Lutomsky, who joined our Business Development Director, Stuart Greenfield. From February 21-24, our team was enjoying the beautiful Vancouver sites and connecting with current and potential clients. The team flew into Vancouver a day before...

If you’ve ever considered creating and selling your own natural health product (or you’re already in the process), you’re more than likely looking for ways to make your product not only stand out, but to make it marketable as well. There has never been a better time to create and...

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). The year is a once in a lifetime opportunity to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment, and boost economic development. We are all aware...