Monk fruit is used as a keto-friendly sweetener in many products, from protein powder to granolas.
However, it’s one of the more complicated food products to sell on Amazon due to various Amazon rules and government regulations. Businesses aiming to sell products containing monk fruit on Amazon Canada must first ensure regulatory compliance and follow *all* Amazon rules to avoid problems.
Below, we explain how to avoid potential issues that could see your product banned from the Amazon platform.
But first, let’s start with some definitions:
What is monk fruit?
Monk fruit, also known as Luo Han Guo (Siraitia grosvenorii), is a fruit native to China.
Monk fruit extract is a natural sweetener known for its high sweetness and low-calorie content. It is increasingly used as a sugar substitute in various food and beverage products.
While monk fruit is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by many health authorities, including the U.S. FDA, its use in supplemented foods in Canada requires careful consideration of specific regulations.
Understanding Canada’s supplemented food regulations
Monk fruit falls under Canada’s supplemented food regulations. Navigating these supplemented food regulations can be a complex process, especially when it comes to using monk fruit as an ingredient in your product.
What are supplemented foods?
In Canada, supplemented foods are packaged products that have added ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other bioactive ingredients, including natural sweeteners like monk fruit. These foods are regulated by Health Canada, which ensures they meet safety and labelling requirements to protect consumers.
Health Canada announced new supplemented foods regulations in 2022. Supplemented foods that were already on the market have until January 1, 2026, to update their labels. New supplemented foods coming onto the market are required to comply immediately with the new regulations.
As with selling Natural Health Products (NHPs) on Amazon, your goal as an Amazon seller of monk fruit products is to abide by the regulations, and adhere to Amazon’s policies and guidelines, while still competing aggressively to win the buy box.
Key requirements for monk fruit products in Canada
1. Product classification: supplemented food, natural health product or grocery product?
Determining if your product is classified as a supplemented food or a natural health product (NHP) is a crucial first step.
Each category has different regulatory pathways and requirements.
Supplemented foods have specific criteria for added ingredients and must be distinctly labelled to inform consumers.
If you are making health claims related to the product being ingested, then it falls into the NHP category and you will require a Natural Health Number (NPN). See our tips for selling NHPs on Amazon.
If you are selling a grocery item, standard food labelling will suffice. For example, SweetMonk’s liquid sweetener, which is 100% monk fruit, is neither an NHP or a supplemented food. See our SweetMonk case study.
2. Ingredient approval:
Before selling supplemented foods containing monk fruit in Canada, ensure that monk fruit is an approved ingredient for the intended use. This involves consulting the List of Permitted Sweeteners and possibly seeking approval from Health Canada if it’s not explicitly listed.
3. Labelling requirements:
Products containing monk fruit must adhere to strict labeling guidelines set by Health Canada. This includes clear and accurate ingredient lists and nutritional information. Any health claims must be substantiated and compliant with Canadian regulations.
Selling on Amazon Canada
Amazon has stringent policies regarding the sale of food products, including those containing monk fruit. Sellers must ensure their products comply with both Amazon’s guidelines (you need an Amazon Seller Central account to view the guidelines) and Canadian regulations. This includes:
- Regulatory Compliance: Verifying that all ingredients, including monk fruit, meet Health Canada’s requirements.
- Proper Documentation: Providing necessary documentation and evidence of compliance, such as ingredient approvals and accurate labels.
- Regular Updates: Staying informed about any changes in regulations or Amazon policies to ensure ongoing compliance.
Sell your monk fruit products on Amazon with Beacon Commerce
The demand for natural sweeteners like monk fruit is growing; however, the rules for supplemented products and NHPs can be difficult to navigate.
The Beacon Commerce team is highly experienced at helping clients navigate Amazon seller rules and government regulations for food products, including supplements and NHPs.
It’s important to note that Amazon doesn’t always use the most up-to-date rules from Health Canada for monk fruit. We can point you to the correct documents.
We also work with the expert consultants at Nutrasource for regulatory support services, including helping clients obtain the necessary authorization letters from Health Canada.
Careful research and strict adherence to Health Canada’s regulations and Amazon’s marketplace policies are the keys to success selling products containing monk fruit on Amazon Canada.
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