Skip to main content
Claims can be an effective way to communicate the nutritional properties and potential benefits of a food product. In Canada, however, the type of claim being made determines the criteria, conditions of use, and level of scientific support required.
Our team helps companies evaluate proposed claims, assess the evidence behind them, and develop a substantiation strategy aligned with Canadian regulatory expectations.
Nutrient Content Claims
- Nutrient content claims describe the level or presence of a nutrient or other component in a food, such as “high in fibre,” “low in sodium,” or “source of calcium.” Each claim is subject to defined criteria and conditions of use, including requirements related to the composition of the food.
- We can assess proposed nutrient content claims against these criteria and determine whether the product's formulation supports the intended claim.
Health Claims
- Health claims communicate a relationship between a food or food component and health. In Canada, these can be broadly considered through multiple branches, including function claims, nutrient function claims, and disease risk reduction claims.
Function Claims
- Function claims describe the role a food or food component plays in maintaining or supporting a normal physiological function or biological activity. An example would be the relationship between green tea and the protection of blood lipids from oxidation.
Nutrient Function Claims
- Nutrient function claims describe the role a nutrient plays in maintaining or supporting a normal physiological function or biological activity. An example would be the relationship between calcium and bone health.
Disease Risk Reduction Claims
- Disease risk reduction claims describe a relationship between a food or food component and a reduced risk of developing a disease or health-related condition. Because these claims are highly regulated, the product and supporting evidence must meet specific criteria.
Probiotic and Prebiotic Claims
- Probiotic and prebiotic claims describe the role of probiotics or prebiotic ingredients in supporting health, such as helping support a healthy intestinal flora or digestive health. The specific claims that may be made depend on the ingredient, dose and supporting evidence.
Our Claim Substantiation Services
Building a strong claim strategy involves more than reviewing the wording of a claim. It requires consideration of the regulatory pathway, available scientific evidence, product-specific data, and any gaps that may need to be addressed.
Our services can include:
- Assessment of applicable Canadian regulations and claim requirements
- Review of the scientific literature
- Evaluation of existing scientific evidence supporting proposed claims
- Review of claim wording and regulatory considerations
- Identification of evidence gaps
- Exploration of appropriate regulatory pathways (e.g. a new health claim submission)
- Design of a clinical trial where product-specific evidence is needed
- Project management from early product development through market launch
From initial claim development to the evidence needed for market launch, our team can help establish a science-based approach to substantiation that supports your product and helps manage regulatory considerations.
Learn how we can help you develop a science-based strategy for substantiating your food claims.
