Scope
The guide applies to natural health products, including oral and topical products. The loaded register rows cover the topical concentration table.
Exact limit and units
| Metal | Matrix | Limit | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | Topical natural health products | 3 | ppm | Finished topical product |
| Cadmium | Topical natural health products | 3 | ppm | Finished topical product |
| Lead | Topical natural health products | 10 | ppm | Finished topical product |
| Total mercury | Topical natural health products | 1 | ppm | Finished topical product |
| Antimony | Topical natural health products | 5 | ppm | Finished topical product |
For oral products, the guide states daily exposure limits rather than concentration limits: total arsenic <10.0 µg/day or inorganic arsenic <2.1 µg/day, cadmium <6.0 µg/day, lead <10.0 µg/day, total mercury <20.0 µg/day, and methyl mercury <2.0 µg/day.
How tested
The guide allows elemental impurities to be tested individually or as total heavy metals expressed as lead, and refers to pharmacopoeial or internationally accepted methods for individual elements.
Enforcement posture
Health Canada describes the guide as a guidance document for product quality. The topical ppm rows are loaded as guidance impurity limits.
History of changes
The extracted guide is dated May 1, 2015, Version 3.1.
How it compares
The topical Pb and Hg concentration limits are close to Singapore and ASEAN health-supplement values; Health Canada also adds antimony and dose-based oral limits.
Sources
Update history
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