2014 Canadian Nutrition Society Annual Meeting St. John’s Newfoundland Saturday June 7, 2014 Dr. William Yan, PhD Health Canada Modernization in the Area of Food Safety and Nutrition Director, Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Health Canada Health Canada has committed to modernizing its regulatory framework for foods as part of the Health Products and Food Branch Roadmap for Regulatory Modernization. Health Canada has already begun the process of modernization, receiving new authorities under the Food and Drugs Act for marketing authorization and incorporation by reference that have been used to modernize the food additive framework. Other modernization initiatives underway include food fortification, and a policy review of our framework for health claims. In Canada, there are different types of health claims that can be included on the labels of foods. Health Canada has provided guidance on the use of these health claims and has modernized its approach to manage foods carrying disease risk reduction and therapeutic claims. In 2012, the transition of food products from the Natural Health Products Regulatory (NHPD) Framework to the Food Regulatory Framework was completed. Since then, Health Canada has continued to review submissions for new products and develop related policies and guidance. For example, the Food Directorate has developed a proposed definition for “supplemented foods”. As well, maximum levels of addition of vitamins, minerals and amino acids have been proposed for these products currently managed under Temporary Marketing Authorizations (TMAs). The information and data collected during the TMA period will help shape the final regulatory framework for these food products. In today’s presentation, the Food Directorate’s modernization efforts in these areas will be highlighted. Dr. William Yan obtained his Master degree in Microbiology and Ph.D. degree in Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases from the University of Alberta. He completed his post-doctoral training at Tufts University Medical School, Boston, MA before beginning his career in Health Canada as a Research Scientist in 1995. He was Head of the Office of Biotechnology, Food Directorate, from 1999-2002, Chief of the Evaluation Division, Bureau of Microbial Hazards, from 2002-2008 and Director of the Health Effects Division of the Pest Management Regulatory Agency from 2008-2009. He was head of Canadian delegations for Codex Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Task Force on Foods Derived from Biotechnologies as well as the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Task Force for the Safety of Novel Foods and Feeds. In June 2010, Dr. Yan was appointed as Director of the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences in the Food Directorate. Since then, he has provided leadership in the Bureau’s work on developing nutritional standards and regulations as well as premarket assessment of novel foods, novel fibres, health claims and infant formulas. Recently, Dr. Yan led the transition of food-like natural health products to the food regulatory framework. He is currently leading the Food Directorate’s work on improving how nutritional information is provided on food labels in Canada.