When Minister of Health Tony Clement tabled Bill C-51to modernize the Food and Drugs Act, many people were afraid how it might affect access to natural health products.

After several Members of Parliament who support natural health products voiced their concern to the minister, he promptly made several amendments to Bill C-51 to clarify the legislation. Minister Clement assures us that legislating natural health products was never his intent and if passed, this new bill would not hinder access to these products or increases prices.

Shortly after Bill C-51 was tabled in early April, specific concerns over the legislation were magnified by rumours circulating within the food and drug industry. Rest assured that natural health products will not have to be prescribed by doctors, and the government is not targeting them for inspections or fines. The compliance policy in use for the past four years will continue unchanged, because these products have been regulated in a unique category outside of food and drugs since 2004.

Bill C-51 is designed to protect Canadians from food and products that could either harm us, or that don’t live up to their claims. The legislation aims to ensure that tainted products are found and recalled, that what is on the label is actually in the bottle, and that health claims are supported by evidence. The federal department of health monitors cases where a natural health product makes a completely unfounded health claim, such as the ability to cure cancer or SARS. In addition, the increasing import of products and ingredients from foreign countries will require oversight to assure product safety and quality for Canadians.

Minister Clement says, “Those who allege that this legislation will reduce access to common vitamins and herbal products are simply spreading misinformation. They are wrong. In the future, under a modernized Food and Drugs Act, the numbers and variety of natural health products will continue to grow, the natural health product industry will be enhanced, and Canadians can be confident that they will be able to access innovative, safe and effective products.”

To learn more about Bill C-51, check out www.healthycanadians.ca and follow the prompts. This legislation should instill renewed confidence that the products Canadians consume to keep us healthy are safe and reliable.

-30-

The audio version of Garry's July 21, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here