A Natural Product Number (NPN) is an eight-digit identifier assigned by Health Canada to licensed Natural Health Products (NHPs) that are approved for sale in the Canadian market. This unique code signifies that the product has undergone a thorough pre-market assessment by the federal regulator. The NPN confirms that the product meets the country’s stringent requirements for safety, quality, and evidence supporting any health claims made on the label.
The Regulatory Purpose of the NPN
The NPN system exists to establish a clear standard for products that fall outside the traditional drug category but are marketed for health purposes. Issuance of this number means Health Canada has reviewed the product’s medicinal ingredients, non-medicinal ingredients, dosage, and recommended conditions of use. This review process ensures that the product is safe when used according to the directions provided on the packaging.
The NPN is a direct result of the comprehensive Natural Health Products Regulations (NHPR). Manufacturers must also demonstrate adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) as part of the licensing process. GMPs are quality control standards that cover everything from the sourcing of raw materials to the final testing of the finished product. This requirement ensures that the product contains the ingredients listed on the label in the correct amounts and is free from contaminants like heavy metals or harmful microorganisms.
Products Requiring an NPN
Natural Health Products (NHPs) encompass a wide array of substances, all of which are subject to the NPN requirement if sold commercially in Canada. The scope includes commonly used items such as most vitamins and minerals, herbal remedies like St. John’s Wort or Ginseng, and traditional medicines such as those from Chinese or Ayurvedic practices. Probiotics and essential fatty acids, like Omega-3 supplements, are also classified as NHPs and must display the eight-digit identifier. These items are distinct from conventional prescription or over-the-counter drugs, which are identified by a Drug Identification Number (DIN).
There is an important distinction for homeopathic products, which, while considered NHPs, are assigned a Drug Identification Number–Homeopathic Medicine (DIN-HM) instead of an NPN. Both the NPN and the DIN-HM serve the same regulatory function, indicating that the product has been approved for sale. Any product marketed with a health claim in Canada that falls into these categories must secure either an NPN or a DIN-HM to be legally sold. Selling an NHP without one of these identifiers means the product has not been assessed by Health Canada and is unauthorized.
Consumer Verification and Safety
The NPN provides a direct way for consumers to verify a product’s legitimacy and Health Canada’s approval status. This number is required to be prominently displayed on the label, typically near the product name or the ingredient list. If a product does not have an NPN, DIN-HM, or another valid identifier, it should not be assumed to have met Canadian safety and quality standards.
Consumers can use the number to search Health Canada’s Licensed Natural Health Products Database (LNHPD) for detailed information. The database allows a person to confirm the product’s active ingredients, approved health claims, and recommended dosage. Purchasing products without a valid NPN carries a risk of inaccurate dosing, untested ingredients, or contamination, as the product has bypassed the government’s mandatory regulatory review.