CANADA: Letter to industry - The labelling and composition of food containing probiotic microorganisms

01.oct.09
CFIA

Health Canada released its guidance document The Use of Probiotic
Microorganisms in Food (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/legislation/guide-ld/probiotics_guidance-orientation_probiotiques-eng.php) on April 22, 2009.
This document provides guidance on the use of health claims for
probiotics, as well as guidance on the safety, quality (stability), and
labelling requirements for foods containing probiotic microorganisms.
To assist industry in the application of this guidance document, the
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has updated Chapter 8, Health
Claims, in the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising (Guide) to
reflect Health Canada's new guidance on probiotics. The updated Guide
also includes a list of probiotic claims that are considered acceptable
on food, without the need for further substantiation by the manufacturer
or importer, along with conditions for their use.
It is the responsibility of all manufacturers and importers to ensure
that their products comply with all relevant Canadian legislation.
Labels, advertisements and web sites are expected to be in compliance
with this new guidance on probiotics within 6 months of the date of
publication of this letter. Products which do not meet the requirements
at that time may be subject to enforcement action by the CFIA. However,
immediate correction is expected in the case of food products containing
probiotics that are represented for therapeutic use (i.e. carrying drug
claims) of the label, advertisement or web site, wherever such a claim
appears.
Thank you for your ongoing collaboration.

Sincerely,

Robert Charlebois
Executive Director
Food Safety and Consumer Protection Directorate
Vance McEachern
Executive Director
Operations Branch