North America is one of the largest markets for vitamins, protein powders, herbal extracts and other supplements, and many of those products are made or packed in India. The label is where most export delays start. A Supplement Facts panel in the wrong format, a missing disclaimer or an English-only label for Canada can stop a shipment or force an expensive relabel at the destination.
This guide is for nutraceutical manufacturers, private label brands and importers supplying the US and Canada. It explains what each market expects on the label, where the two differ and how to print supplement labels that look premium and stay compliant.
Short answer: in the US, dietary supplements need a statement of identity, net quantity, a Supplement Facts panel, an ingredient list, the name and place of business of the manufacturer, packer or distributor, a US address or phone number for adverse event reports and, if you make structure or function claims, the FDA disclaimer. In Canada, most supplements are natural health products that need a Natural Product Number (NPN), bilingual English and French labels and Health Canada's required label content.
Key takeaways
- The US and Canada regulate supplements very differently. One label rarely works for both.
- The US Supplement Facts panel has a defined format. Do not adapt a Nutrition Facts or Indian nutrition table.
- Canada requires an NPN and bilingual labels, and is moving to a new Product Facts table.
- Structure and function claims in the US need the FDA disclaimer on the label.
US vs Canada at a glance
| Requirement | United States | Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Product category | Dietary supplement | Usually a natural health product (NHP) |
| Pre-market licence | Not required for most products | Product licence with an eight-digit NPN |
| Main data panel | Supplement Facts | Medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, moving to a Product Facts table |
| Language | English | English and French |
| Claims | Structure and function claims with disclaimer | Only claims authorised in the product licence |
| Units | US customary and metric for net quantity | Metric |
United States: what the FDA expects on the label
Statement of identity
The principal display panel must identify the product as a dietary supplement. You can replace the word "dietary" with a description of the ingredients, for example "herbal supplement" or "vitamin C supplement".
The Supplement Facts panel
The panel follows the format set out in 21 CFR 101.36. It lists the serving size, servings per container, each dietary ingredient with its amount per serving and, where established, the percent Daily Value. Ingredients without a Daily Value are marked accordingly. Proprietary blends show the total weight of the blend and its ingredients in descending order.
Other ingredients and allergens
Non-dietary ingredients such as capsule shells, fillers and flavours are listed below the panel. Major food allergens must be declared as required by US food allergen labelling law, which since 2023 includes sesame.
Claims and the FDA disclaimer
If the label makes a structure or function claim, such as "supports joint health", it must carry this disclaimer: "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease." Disease claims are not allowed on supplements.
Contact details for adverse events
The label must include a domestic US address or phone number through which serious adverse events can be reported. For exporters, this is usually the US importer or distributor.
Exporting supplements to the US or Canada?
Send us your formula sheet and target market. We will print labels with crisp Supplement Facts panels, tamper-evident options and finishes that look premium on any shelf.
Canada: natural health product labels
Most vitamins, minerals, herbal products, probiotics and similar supplements are natural health products in Canada. Before sale, each product needs a product licence from Health Canada, which issues an eight-digit Natural Product Number shown on the label as "NPN" followed by the number.
The label must include, in English and French, the product name, the NPN, the quantity, medicinal and non-medicinal ingredients, recommended use or purpose, dose and directions, risk information and the name and address of the product licence holder or importer. Health Canada has amended its labelling rules to introduce a standardised Product Facts table, with transition periods for existing products that run to 2028. Check which format your product must use with your licence holder.
Fitting two languages and a facts table onto a small bottle is a design challenge. Our guide to bilingual English and French labels for Canada shows practical layout options.
Designing supplement labels that sell
- Lead with the benefit and the form: shoppers scan for what it does and whether it is a capsule, gummy or powder.
- Make dosage clear: count and strength, such as "60 capsules, 500 mg", near the front.
- Use finishes to signal quality: soft-touch, foil and raised varnish separate premium ranges from commodity products.
- Protect against tampering and fakes: tamper-evident seals and unique QR codes reassure buyers and protect your brand online.
- Allow space for batch and expiry coding: leave an uncoated window if coding happens on your filling line.
For anti-counterfeit ideas, see our case study on unique QR anti-counterfeit labels for a nutraceutical brand and our guide to anti-counterfeit label technologies.
Materials for supplement packaging
| Pack | Recommended label build |
|---|---|
| HDPE and PET bottles | White or clear BOPP with permanent acrylic adhesive |
| Protein tubs and jars | Laminated BOPP for scuff and moisture resistance |
| Pouches | Conformable film that flexes without creasing |
| Premium glass | Clear film for a no-label look, or textured paper with foil |
How Sai Impression supports supplement exporters
Sai Impression prints nutraceutical and supplement labels in Chennai for brands in India and over 25 export markets. We print fine-detail facts panels clearly, match brand colours to Pantone references, add foil, embossing and lamination, and run variable QR codes and batch data. Since 2010 we have worked with more than 1000 brands, and we dispatch standard jobs in as little as 5 days after artwork approval. For Indian requirements, see our nutraceutical label compliance guide for India, and for conventional foods read how to get an FDA Nutrition Facts label.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Supplement Facts and Nutrition Facts?
Supplement Facts is used for dietary supplements and can list ingredients without a Daily Value, such as herbal extracts, along with the plant part used. Nutrition Facts is used for conventional foods. The formats are different and not interchangeable.
Do I need FDA approval for a supplement label?
The FDA does not approve supplement labels before sale. The manufacturer and distributor are responsible for making sure the label complies. Many brands use a regulatory consultant to review labels before printing.
What is an NPN in Canada?
An NPN is the eight-digit Natural Product Number issued by Health Canada when a natural health product is licensed. It must appear on the label as "NPN" followed by the number.
Can I use one label for both the US and Canada?
It is rarely practical because the facts panels, claims rules, language and licensing details differ. Most brands run separate SKUs or separate labels for each market.
Which label finish suits premium supplements?
Soft-touch lamination with hot foil or raised varnish is a popular premium combination. For gummies and powders handled often, a laminated film keeps the label clean and readable.
Launch your supplements in North America
Share your SKUs, bottle sizes and target markets. Our team will recommend materials and finishes and quote within 24 hours.
Sources and further reading: US FDA: dietary supplements, 21 CFR 101.36, Health Canada: natural health products. Confirm final label content with your regulatory adviser or importer.
