Foods for a special dietary purpose for exceptional importation and sale

Due to the low volume of reported shortages of foods for a special dietary purpose, Health Canada has not made the exceptional importation mechanism permanent by transitioning to the regulations. This mechanism ended on March 2, 2022, at which time the normal regulatory pathway for these products took effect. For more information, visit Regulations amending certain regulations concerning drugs and medical devices (shortages): Notice

On March 17, 2021, the Minister of Health signed the Interim Order No. 2 Respecting Drugs, Medical Devices and Foods for a Special Dietary Purpose in Relation to COVID-19. IO No. 2 repeals and replaces the Interim Order Respecting Drugs, Medical Devices and Foods for a Special Dietary Purpose in relation to COVID-19, made by the Minister on March 30, 2020. IO No. 2 extends measures for drugs, medical devices and foods for a special dietary purpose introduced in the previous interim order. These measures continue to be necessary to help prevent or alleviate the effects of shortages caused or exacerbated, directly or indirectly, by COVID-19.

The List of Foods for a Special Dietary Purpose for Exceptional Importation and Sale includes all designated foods for a special dietary purpose that have been permitted to be imported and sold under this Interim Order.

For details on how products can be added to the List and the requirements for notifying the Minister before importing designated foods for a special dietary purpose, please consult the:

Related links

Page details

Date modified: