news & trends

Navigating the Changing Landscape: Labelling Regulations in the Supplement Industry

As the world becomes more and more health-conscious, the interest and use of dietary supplements has increased. From vitamins and minerals to herbal remedies, these products promise to enhance well-being and fill nutritional gaps, but they are not without risks. As a result, the supplement industry faces scrutiny over its labelling practices, and recent changes aim to address these concerns. In this blog post, we’ll highlight the changing landscape of supplement labelling regulations and discuss their impact.

The Natural Health Products Dilemma

What Are Natural Health Products (NHPs)?

Natural Health Products (NHPs) encompass a wide range of products, including herbal medicines, vitamins, minerals, and other natural remedies. Unlike prescription drugs, NHPs are available without a prescription and are often self-administered by consumers.

The Regulatory Framework

In Canada, NHPs fall under the Natural Health Products Regulations. These regulations recognize the lower-risk nature of NHPs compared to prescription drugs. Companies that manufacture, package, label, or import NHPs must adhere to specific guidelines, including holding valid product and site licenses and following good manufacturing practices (GMP).

The Need for Improved Oversight

While NHPs are generally considered safe, they are not without risks. Health Canada continually strives to create a safer marketplace for Canadians. Here are some key initiatives aimed at enhancing NHP oversight:

  1. Improved NHP Labelling: Clear and accurate labelling is crucial. Consumers need to know what they’re ingesting, potential interactions, and proper usage. Recent changes focus on ensuring that NHP labels provide comprehensive information.
  2. Extending Vanessa’s Law to NHPs: The Protecting Canadians from Unsafe Drugs Act (Vanessa’s Law) has been effective in enhancing drug safety. Extending its provisions to NHPs would strengthen reporting requirements, adverse reaction monitoring, and recall procedures.
  3. NHP Inspection Program: Regular inspections of NHP manufacturers and distributors help maintain quality standards. Rigorous inspections ensure compliance with GMP and identify potential risks.
  4. NHP Cost Recovery: Funding NHP oversight requires resources. Implementing a cost recovery mechanism ensures sustainable regulatory efforts.

Balancing Safety and Accessibility

Critics argue that stricter regulations may lead to price increases and reduced availability of certain NHP brands. However, the trade-off between safety and accessibility is a delicate one. As healthcare professionals, we must weigh the risks and benefits. While some products may become scarcer, essential supplements like vitamins and minerals will likely remain accessible.

Bottom Line

As the supplement industry evolves, so must our regulatory approach. Striking the right balance ensures that Canadians have access to safe and effective NHPs. Let’s continue the dialogue, advocate for evidence-based practices, and work towards a healthier future.

Feel free to share your thoughts! If you have any questions or need further information, please reach out.

Written by: Lucia Weiler, BSc, RD, PHEc – Award-winning dietitian and Owner, n4nn

Healthy eating at school – insights for menu planning and nutrition programs

student eating a healthy lunchImage Health Canada

Back-to-school is in full swing, including educational opportunities for dietitians and food professionals! We attended an international seminar on back-to-school success with USDA’s Team Nutrition.[1] As you may know the US funds school lunch programs and has a robust support system – both financial and practical – for feeding kids in schools. We discovered some amazing new content, lots of tips and highlights that you can use to nourish students whether you’re a parent, educator, or foodservice professional.

Scientists and health professionals agree on the importance of healthy eating at school to optimize health, development, and academic performance. Since children and youth spend a large portion of their day in school, they consume a significant proportion of their daily energy intake while in school.[2],[3] This means it’s key to provide food for students that gives them enough energy and nutrients they need throughout the day.

Here are some tips for your school’s food and nutrition program to help kids grow up healthy:

Food Focus

  • Align school nutrition policies with recommendations in Canada’s Food Guide and promote nutrient-rich foods and beverages that are lower in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium.
  • Involve students in the menu development to find the right balance of nutritious foods that are ‘fan favorites’ that kids are going to eat. [4]
  • Encourage student taste-testing and get their feedback on food items created by chefs.
  • Monitor food waste. Are you watching what foods kids throw away? Finding the reason why kids are not eating their lunch provides insights for creating lunches they will enjoy eating.
  • Reach out to a dietitian for support with healthy delicious recipes and meal plans for kids, analyzing recipes and menus to meet school food nutrient standards.

Make an impact beyond the food

  • Provide a safe space to enjoy all foods without fear of food judgement.
  • Advocate for sufficient time for eating lunch. Experts recommend students have at least 20 minutes of seated time to enjoy their meal and socialize. [5]
  • Find out if there is a health committee you can join or start one for your school.
  • Invest in educating your school community about how to build healthy relationships with food. A dietitian can help. Ask them about resources to teach nutrition in the classroom, parent resources on packing lunches, school presentations, and referrals for student nutrition programs.[6]

As Dietitians we look beyond fads to deliver reliable, life-changing advice. Do you want to unlock the potential of food? Connect with us with your comments or questions.

 Written by Lucia Weiler, BSc, RD, PHEc – Award-winning dietitian and Co-Founder, n4nn

 

Tags; Foodservice management, back to school, school nutrition policy, student nutrition, dietitian, Lucia Weiler, n4nn

[1] United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food & Nutrition Service (2022) https://www.fns.usda.gov/team-nutrition

[2] Health Canada (2021) Healthy eating at school – Canada’s Food Guide

[3] Canadian Paediatric Society (2020) School nutrition: Support for providing healthy food and beverage choices in schools

[4] ABC News (2022) Chicago Public Schools lunch menu https://abc7chicago.com/cps-school-lunch-menu-chicago-public-schools/12213616/

[5] CDC (2019) Making Time for School Lunch  https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/nutrition/school_lunch.htm

[6] Dietitians of Canada (2019) Eating Right at School. https://www.unlockfood.ca/en/Articles/School-Health/Articles/Eating-Right-at-School.aspx

What’s the benefit of eating locally and in season?

vegetables and fruit displayed at a market

Have you ever wondered if buying local food is a better choice? You’re not alone as more people want to know how and where their food and other products are grown and handled. Local food is also trending in the mainstream of grocers, restaurants, health care facilities and schools. In this article we consider what the term local really means and look at some of the benefits of eating local food.

What does the term ‘local food’ mean?

Most people think that ‘local’ refers to a short geographic distance between where the food was grown and sold. Since the term ‘local’ is largely unregulated and undefined, the area could mean 1 kilometer or 1,000 kilometers away from the point of purchase. Some advocates promote the ‘100-mile (160 km) diet’ as the geographic limit of local, but local food does not have to be such a short a distance.  The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) says local food claims are valid for food produced within in the province or territory in which it is sold, or if sold across provincial borders it’s within 50 km of the originating province or territory.  The best way to find out what local means for a specific product is to ask the food seller – be that a grocery store retailer, the farm stand supplier or restaurant owner. You may get some different answers.  How would you define local food?  For the purpose of this article, we’ll go with the CFIA term local food, that is grown within your province or territory.

What are the benefits of buying local food?

Local food is fresh and tastes great

Local food is often harvested a few hours before it’s sold so food produced close to home is usually the freshest it can be.  Local fruits and vegetables are also harvested close to peak ripeness and flavour. When food is picked and eaten at the peak of freshness, it retains more nutrients and tastes better.  Check online what grows in season in your region. You can also eat local food during the winter months because root vegetables, pulses, grains, meats, dairy products are available year-round.

Local food offers seasonal variety

Local farmers may grow a variety of unique foods such as heirloom produce, which you might not find at the grocery store. Look for various types of your favourite vegetables and fruit and try different products.  Seasonal eating may mean eating in step with the agricultural harvest calendar and enjoying foods at peak flavour and ripeness. Embracing foods that are in season may also increase the variety of foods you’re eating. Dietitian’s tip: If raw produce is not in season locally then it probably is not locally produced.

Buying local can save money

Food produced close to home is often sold at a good price, and seasonal produce may be sold for even less. For example, if all the farmers have a lot of tomatoes, they may be willing to lower prices to sell them all. Planning meals around what’s in season also helps you save money. Canning or freezing well-priced seasonal vegetables and fruit is a good way to take advantage of lower prices and eating local all year long!

Local food supports communities

Local food creates community and connections. As we emerge from a long, socially isolating pandemic, loneliness is a rising problem. Meeting local growers, discussing foods unique to your region, discovering how your food is grown and harvested counters this trend.  Local food is a great experience and offers a place for people to meet each other and build meaningful human connections. Local food can also spark healthy conversations, whether at the farmers’ market, grocery store, local restaurant or farm-to-table gathering with family and friends.

Buying local preserves farms

Choosing local food aids your local economy. It helps keep local producers in business, creates jobs and promotes economic growth. When you buy local food, you are also helping to preserve valuable farmland. This also helps protect green space and habitats for wildlife to exist locally your communities.

Where to find local food in your region?

Farmers market

Farmers markets help meet the growing demand for locally produced food by providing a retail hub intended to sell foods directly by farmers to consumers. They’ve become an important connection between rural and urban communities with benefits that are felt throughout the community. At a farmers’ market you may discover products you can’t find elsewhere such as different variety of vegetables and fruits, unique cheeses, fresh or potted herbs, cut flowers, oven fresh baked goods, meat, fresh fish, poultry, or eggs from nearby producers.

Farmers markets are also a place where you get a chance to directly talk food growers, producers and vendors. Many small farmers are eager to talk about their growing methods and how they care for their animals. Take time to connect with them and discover more about the foods you buy and enjoy.

With more farmers markets opening every year, check online and with your local community associations to find out where they are in your region. In Ontario you can find a farmers’ market at this link Find a Farmers’ Market – Farmers’ Markets Ontario (farmersmarketsontario.com)

Pick your own

Some farmers may invite you to pick your own produce at the farm. By making a trip to a local farm you’re treating yourself to an experience of choosing your food from the field where it’s grown. Pick your own is especially valuable during the peak growing season and harvest times.  Check online for local farms that open their gates to pick your own customers.  In Ontario you can find an on-farm market or pick-your-own operation near you to purchase Ontario food at this link: Find a Farm – Farm Fresh Association (farmfreshontario.com)

Grocery stores

Some grocers are offering more local food.  Many of these foods will be clearly labeled in the store so you know what you’re buying and where it came from. At the grocery store, identify the area of origin for foods you buy and look for ‘local’ when possible.

Restaurants

When dining out, consumers are attracted to local foods especially while on vacation. Check out the menus online and look for menu items with local and seasonal ingredients. Some regions have government co-ordinated ‘eat local’ initiatives that include participating restaurant listings. In Ontario, the Culinary Tourism Alliance created the FeastON Certification. You can find a restaurant serving Ontario food on their menu at this link https://ontarioculinary.com/restaurants/

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)

CSA provide a way to buy local seasonal vegetables and fruits directly from Farmers – often at a more affordable price. Farmers sell a set of number of shares, or memberships, to customers. The shares usually provide a container of vegetables or other seasonal farm products on a weekly or bi-weekly schedule during the growing season, depending on the growing conditions. CSA’s provide a market for local farmers, and both raw product and a farm connection for consumers.  You can find CSA’s near you by visiting your local community centre, municipal office or searching online.

Bottom Line:

Canadians increasingly value supporting a thriving local agricultural system. There are many benefits to exploring local food for individuals and the community.  Let’s start a conversation about the benefits of including some local foods in the diet and in menus.  Dietitians share credible information and can help find ways to maximize this opportunity and navigate around challenges.

Further Reading and more information:

Written by Lucia Weiler, BSc, RD, PHEc – Award-winning dietitian and Co-Founder, n4nn

Contact us for comments or questions.

Why work with a dietitian?

DIETITIANS SERVICES (SOURCE DIETITIANS OF CANADA)

Nutrition is a hot topic. You may have a growing desire for better nutrition as a way to improve your healthy and productivity.  Research shows that nutrition counselling with a dietitian is a good investment for your health and wellness. Here are some common questions we get asked about working with a dietitian.

Why should I consult a dietitian?

Dietitians translate scientific research into practical solutions. They work with you to help you feel your best. Dietitians can provide:

  • Tips and healthy recipes to help you plan, shop for and cook healthy meals for your family
  • Information to help you interpret food labels, the latest food trends and diets
  • Support to improve your relationship with food and be mindful of your eating habits
  • Individualized Counselling to help you:
    • manage your weight, food allergies and intolerances or digestive issues
    • get the most from your workouts
    • prevent and manage chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer and kidney disease
  • Guidance on how to feed your baby, a “picky” eater, or an active teenager
  • Advice on whether you need a vitamin or mineral supplement based on your health needs.

Why are nutrition services important?

Health concerns are on the rise

  • 44% of Canadians over age 20 have at least 1 chronic health condition
  • 11 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes
  • More than 2.6 million Canadians suffer from food allergies

Canadians want better nutrition

Canadians are increasingly more aware of their food choices, shopping smarter, and opting for better nutrition now more than ever before.  Although provincial health plans don’t provide adequate coverage, many employee and private health insurance plans cover Registered Dietitian led Nutrition Counselling sessions.

Manage your Health

Good nutrition improves health and reduces health risks that can lead to illness or high prescription drug use.

  • Lowers risk for and helps manage type 2 diabetes
  • Improves weight, blood pressure, cholesterol levels
  • Controls digestive issues and food allergies

Your best choice for nutrition services are Registered Dietitians…hands down!

Dietitians are Specialized

Dietitians must pass university and licensing exams, undergo rigorous practical training, and commit to staying on top of emerging research, skills and techniques in food, nutrition and health.

Dietitians are Regulated

Dietitians are the only nutrition practitioners that are licensed and regulated in every province in Canada. Just like a nurse or physiotherapist, dietitians hold a protected designation. Look for the letters RD (registered dietitian) or PDt (professional dietitian) DT.I or Dt.P, after your health care professional’s name depending on the province.

Dietitians are Health Care Professionals

Dietitians belong to a national association that promotes the highest level of professional standards through extensive training, knowledge sharing and a powerful evidence-based nutrition database – a leading resource for nutrition professionals around the world.

A Dietitian can unlock the power of food for your healthy living. Ask us how. Connect with us

How to Survive – And Thrive – Working from Home

An African Canadian woman sitting and smiling at her desk with a laptop.

(Guest post by Diana Rocca, Founder of DREROC Marketing Strategy)

It’s no secret; 2021 and 2022 became the years we all worked from home – thanks Covid! According to Statista, as of 2021, over 30% of Canadian workers now work permanently from a home office — and that number is only increasing.

While working from home can come with plenty of benefits — hello, no commute and no work clothes — it can also present some, not-so-fun challenges. Working from home can leave some people feeling isolated, bored, and unproductive. Does this sound familiar?

Here are some of my tips on how to not only survive, but thrive, from your home office.

Stay hydrated

Water is my go-to when working from home. Studies have shown that staying hydrated not only helps fend off fatigue, but it can also keep your mood elevated — which is just what you’ll need to get through those back-to-back Zoom meetings.

Not a fan of water? Try squeezing lemon juice into your water bottle to up the flavour profile.

Start your day right

By beginning your day well, you’ll set yourself up for a happy, productive day — even if you’re only traveling across the hall. A morning meditation followed by a hearty, nutritious breakfast is the foundation for my days. A great weekday breakfast is whole grain oatmeal topped with nuts and berries. It’ll give you a boost in fibre, protein and antioxidants. Meanwhile, meditation can help you clear your mind and gain new perspectives for the day ahead. It’s the perfect one-two punch to start your day.

One of my favourite meditation apps is Headspace or simply listening to instrumental music on YouTube.

Organize your day to minimize distractions

Incorporating time blocking into my workday has been life changing. I’m more productive and efficient, plus it minimizes distractions. This method is a way to organize your day into manageable blocks or chunks, and each block of time is dedicated to one particular task or group of similar tasks.

At the beginning of each day, I take pen to paper (yep – really getting back to basics) and organize my entire workday into blocks of time. To ensure I’m staying focused on the task at hand I check emails twice per day, so I dedicate the start and the end of each day to answering emails, and fill up the middle blocks with tasks starting from highest to lowest priority. Finally, at the end of the day, I set aside time to clean and organize my desk. Remember… clean desk, clear mind.

Keep moving

Working from home can lead to a lot of extra sitting — especially if you used to walk or bike during your commute. Keep moving — whether it’s a workout, walking the dog, or yoga, carve out time each day to get up and move.

I typically aim for movement or a mini break every hour. Not only does this get the blood flowing, but it also provides an added boost of energy – leaving me feeling more productive and ready to tackle any task at hand. Believe it or not, micro breaks like this throughout the day are key to staying productive.

Lighting and ergonomics are key

If you’re going to be spending a lot of time working from home, make sure you have a good, healthy set up. This means getting plenty of natural light, along with a good chair that promotes good posture. This will help you avoid injury, pain, and fatigue.

And don’t forget to “dress up” your home office space with pieces that inspire you. Whether that be plants, art – or even listening to music – it’s important to curate a home office space that cultivates good work habits simply because you “feel good” working in that space.

Set clear boundaries

Finally… leave work at work. Even when the work takes place in your home office.

When you work from home, it can be hard to create clear boundaries between your work life and home life. Set definitive times so that you know when to switch off from work. Leave your office space and spend your free time elsewhere in your home.


– Written by Diana Rocca, Founder of DREROC Marketing Strategy and top 5 branding expert by Yahoo Finance –

Instagram: Brand Strategist | Diana Rocca (@drerocmarketing) • Instagram photos and videos

Website: Unlock your brand’s power. (drerocmarketing.com)

Products mentioned are opinions of the author and in no way represent an endorsement by n4nn or its Co-Founders.