What Should Be in Baby Formula and Special Diet Foods?

Official title: Consultation: Proposed compositional requirements for infant foods and foods currently regulated as foods for special dietary use

Closed Regulations & Permits Agriculture & Food Health & Safety
Health Canada asked what nutritional standards should apply to infant formula, baby food, meal replacements, and medical foods. The rules haven't been updated in decades. New regulations based on this feedback are expected in 2026.

Why This Matters

Have a baby? Use meal replacement shakes? Need gluten-free food? This shapes what's actually in those products. The rules for infant formula and special diet foods are being rewritten for the first time in years.

What Could Change

New regulations will set minimum and maximum nutrient levels for infant formula, baby cereals, and medical foods. Meal replacements and nutritional supplements may face stricter composition rules. Gluten-free labelling standards could also change. Draft regulations are expected in spring 2026.

Key Issues

  • What nutrients should infant formula contain?
  • What standards should apply to medical foods for adults?
  • How should weight-loss meal replacements be regulated?
  • What requirements should apply to gluten-free foods?
  • How should conventional infant foods like cereals and purees be regulated?

How to Participate

  1. Review the proposal document outlining the proposed compositional requirements.
  2. Submit comments by email to bns-bsn@hc-sc.gc.ca.

What Happened

The consultation closed on January 22, 2025. Input gathered will inform draft regulations expected to be published in Canada Gazette, Part I in spring 2026.

Key Documents