ABSTRACT
Probiotic microorganisms can be found in a variety of consumer products in the Canadian marketplace. Most Canadian consumers encounter probiotics as ingredients in foods and natural health products, also commonly known as dietary supplements, both of which are regulated by Health Canada. In Canada, the sale of all foods is governed by the Food and Drugs Act and the Food and Drug Regulations. The Food Directorate analyzes each submission and, if approved, communicates a decision that no objection is taken to the use of the subject product as a food in Canada. Health Canada’s Food Directorate has reviewed proposed health claims of this nature and determined whether and under what conditions a claim could be made. In Canada, consumer products commonly regarded as dietary supplements in other jurisdictions, are regulated as natural health products, frequently abbreviated simply as “Natural Health Products.”
