Health Canada

Find out how indoor air pollution can affect your health, who is at risk for getting sick and what symptoms you may experience because of air pollution.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a diverse group of chemicals characterized by a high vapour pressure, as they are emitted in the form of a gas from solids or liquids at ordinary room temperatures. They are ubiquitous since they are found in both ambient and indoor air.

Many volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are present in the indoor air of Canadian homes, some of which may pose a risk to human health at certain exposure concentrations. Health Canada has developed exposure limits for a small number of VOCs which were prioritized for full assessments because they...

Health Canada scientific reviewers evaluate data to assess the potential benefits and risks of a drug or vaccine. They also review the information that will be provided to health care practitioners and consumers about the product. After the review, we may authorize the drug or vaccine for sale in...

The purpose of this notice is to communicate minimum values of sensitivity for COVID-19 antigen testing devices.

Under the Interim Order, manufacturers and importers must report medical device shortages related to COVID-19 to Health Canada. The devices to which the shortages apply are on the List of Medical Devices — Notification of Shortages (specified medical devices).

COVID-19 is a new disease not previously identified in humans. Health Canada is closely tracking all potential drugs and vaccines in development in Canada and abroad. We are working with companies, academic research centres and investigators to help expedite the development and availability of...

The COVID-19 pandemic is adding to the ongoing public health crisis related to high rates of opioid overdose and deaths, as well as acute substance use harms. These crises are made worse in communities where there is chronic overcrowding, including a shortage of housing or other shelters.

Health Canada (HC) and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), with the collaboration and participation of the Canadian Association of Research Ethics Boards (CAREB), recognize the urgent need to conduct clinical trials to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a drug, a vaccine or a...

This guidance document presents the criteria for safety and effectiveness that apply to test swabs used for COVID-19 sampling. It also provides guidance on how to meet these criteria in an application under the IO pathway.

Most PPE, including face shields, are Class I medical devices if they are manufactured, sold or represented for use for reducing the risk of or preventing the user from infection. This includes COVID-19. Face shields may be authorized for sale or import into Canada through the following 3...

This document provides guidance for Canadian manufacturers on the minimum technical requirements for facepiece filtering respirators (FFR). Health Canada has also published a guidance document to assist manufacturers in preparing applications submitted under the IO. This guidance document should...

Briefing binder for the Minister of Health’s appearances at the Special Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic (COVI) – Week of June 1, 2020

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) consists of gowns, gloves, masks, facial protection or respirators that can be used to provide a barrier to help prevent potential exposure to infectious disease. PPE are medical devices in Canada and are subject to requirements under the Medical Devices...

Currently there are no therapies available for either the prevention or treatment of COVID-19. Health Canada is closely tracking all potential therapeutic treatments and vaccines in development in Canada and abroad, including products that are being used off-label. The Department is working with...

Guidance documents are administrative instruments not having force of law and, as such, allow for flexibility in approach. This guidance document is intended to provide guidance to manufacturers and importers to organize and submit an application in a timely manner for the sale or importation of...

We're making improvements to the nutrition facts table and list of ingredients on food labels based on feedback from Canadians and stakeholders. The food industry has a transition period of 5 years to make these changes. This means that you might start seeing new food labels as early as 2017.

The ingredient list shows all the ingredients in a packaged food.

Learn about food labels and how they can help you make informed food choices.

Food labels, nutrition facts tables, serving size, ingredients, % daily value, nutrition claims.