In fact, from a December 2023 spark*insights poll commissioned by the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA), over 80 per cent of Canadians now report using NHPs, up from 71 per cent in 2016, as reported by Health Canada data. But while the “New Year, New Me” frenzy drives demand for vitamins, green powders, fish oils, and probiotics, next year Canadians may find themselves facing higher prices or empty shelves when Canada’s new regulatory changes take effect in 2025.

Health Canada introduced new labelling laws and proposed excessive and burdensome cost recovery fees for all NHPs. These actions, taken without adequate economic study and minimal stakeholder consultation, could lead to drastic price increases, reduce Canadians’ choices, and even cause environmental harm through onerous labelling requirements.

At the same time, Canadians are very concerned about the cost of living. Increased red tape will impact prices, putting more pressure on these everyday essentials — a fact that over 80 per cent of Canadians have a strong negative reaction towards.

And for what?

Canadians universally trust that NHPs are safe, with 95 per cent of respondents agreeing that NHPs are acceptably safe. When looking specifically at Liberal voters, this number swells to 97 per cent, and even higher to 99 per cent (!) amongst NHP users. This trust is for a good reason; Canadian NHPs are already regulated — by a world-leading framework. Health Canada already reviews and approves Canadian NHPs based on ingredients, claims, and contraindications. Canadians can and do trust these products.

The story is not the same for foreign products purchased online and shipped directly to your home. These products are not privy to Health Canada's review or Canadian regulations. Without being approved for sale in Canada, labels skirt bilingual requirements, do not contain important label information that is part of the Canadian licensing requirements, and may not meet the efficacy and quality standards of Canada's world-class system. Foreign products will also not have to incur the increased fees Health Canada is proposing — only Canadian-regulated products bear the brunt.

If Health Canada goes through with their changes, the effect will drive up prices – which Canadians cannot afford. It will also reduce the number of reputable Canadian options available on store shelves – which does not help Canadians’ health or our economy. Many elected officials realized directly last year, after receiving hundreds of thousands of correspondences from their constituents, voters are not supportive of these outcomes.

Canadians should not have to face higher prices, empty store shelves, or look to foreign markets for products they rely on as part of their health and wellness. The situation the NHP sector is facing is not just a temporary challenge but is indicative of more profound problems at Health Canada, where officials are inadvertently undermining the Department’s own mandate of helping Canadians maintain and improve their health.

As we start 2024 full of reflection and reassessment, it is high time for Health Canada to do the same. Canadians don’t need higher prices and less choice. We don’t need to stifle an innovative, home-grown industry. We should respect the regulations already in place and work together to identify areas for improvement. We should work together to support the wellness of Canadians as we all try to live healthy lives.

It’s time for Health Canada to hit the pause button on these misplaced and misguided regulatory changes.

Aaron Skelton is President and CEO of the Canadian Health Food Association. Learn more about the national effort to Save Our Supplements at SaveOurSupplements.ca