3PL, Blog, Supply Chain

Selling Natural Health Products in Canada

The Canadian natural health product (NHP) market is booming, with a growing number of consumers seeking natural alternatives to traditional medicines. If you’re a business looking to import and sell NHPs in Canada, navigating the regulatory landscape can be complex. This blog post will provide you with a basic overview of the NHP approval process in Canada.

What are Natural Health Products (NHPs)?

As defined by Health Canada, NHPs are products derived from natural sources that are intended for the restoration, maintenance, and improvement of good health.

They come in various forms, including:

Vitamins
Minerals
Herbal remedies
Traditional medicines (e.g., Ayurvedic, Eastern)

Why is an NPN Required in Canada?

A Natural Product Number (NPN) is mandatory for selling an NHP in Canada. It signifies that Health Canada has reviewed and approved the product for safety, quality, and efficacy.

FACT: According to Health Canada, 71% of Canadians have used NHPs. With such a large majority Canadians having used NHPs, it makes sense that Health Canada would want to regulate them.

Selling an NHP in Canada

To sell natural health products in Canada, you require 3 key things:

Acquire an NPN

Health Canada categorizes NHPs into three classes based on their complexity and potential risks:

- Class 1: Simplest category, with one NHP monograph referenced.
- Class 2: References two or more NHP monographs.
- Class 3: Falls outside the parameters of an NHP monograph (requires a more extensive application).

NHP Compliant Bilingual Label

A compliant NHP label must requirements set out by Health Canada, such as:

NPN on principal display panel
Caution/risk statements
Direction of use
Duration of use
List of medicinal ingredients per dosage unit
Importer of record if manufactured outside of Canada.
Label both in English and French – inner and outer packaging

Refer to the Health Canada website for the comprehensive list and for more details regarding labeling rules change taking effect June 2025.

Importer of Record

If your NHP is manufactured outside of Canada, you will need an importer of record, which ADLI Logistics can be for you. An Importer of Record is a company licensed by Health Canada to import and distribute NHPs. The importer of record assumes responsibility for various tasks, including:

Reviewing product stability data
Investigating customer complaints
Coordinating recalls (if necessary)

Not only that, but an Importer of Record needs to have a licensed site in which activities such as manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and warehousing and distribution is performed.

How Can ADLI Logistics Help?

We can be the listed site on your license. As we comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and are regularly audited by clients and Health Canada, it was an easy decision to make for them.

Not only that, but we can help you import your product into Canada and can be your importer of record. By partnering with ADLI Logistics, you gain a partner who understands the NHP regulatory landscape and is GMP compliant, so you can save time and resources and ensure your products comply with all Canadian requirements.

The Canadian NHP market offers significant opportunities for businesses. However, navigating the approval process and import regulations can be challenging. By understanding the NHP classification system, label requirements, and the role of an importer of record, you can ensure a smoother path to bringing your NHPs to the Canadian market. Partnering with a knowledgeable 3PL company can further simplify the process and help you focus on growing your business.