The New Label

How can you be sure a natural health product has been authorized by Health Canada? The label must have an eight-digit identification number preceded by NPN (natural product number) or by NPN-HM in the case of a homeopathic product.

Also, the label of a natural health product must include the following:

• the registered trade mark
• the usual name of the product
• the recommended use, dose, means of administration and duration of use
• the net contents and format (e.g. 200 tablets)
• the medicinal ingredients
• the quantity of medicinal ingredients per dose
• risks associated with the product, including adverse effects, contraindications and drug interactions
• the source or the part(s) of a plant used
• the non-medicinal ingredients
• the name and address of the site licensee
• the recommended storage conditions
• the lot number and expiry date

If there is not sufficient space on the label to list all this information, a note must be included to indicate how the user can obtain the information, either by phoning the manufacturer, by visiting its Web site, or by reading the pamphlet included in the packaging or available next to the product on the merchant’s shelf.

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