Legal status · Canada
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester legal in Canada?
Written by Aaron CuhaReviewed Sep 2026
Direct answer
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester can be sold in Canada as a supplement or cosmetic ingredient, classified as "Sold as a supplement". That is not drug approval: Health Canada has not evaluated any health claim, and injectable or "research use only" versions fall outside supplement rules, so that label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, no human study is cited on its profile.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester in Canada at a glance
| Classification | Sold as a supplement |
|---|---|
| Health Canada approval status | Not a Health Canada drug approval; sold as a supplement or cosmetic |
| Human studies cited | 0 of 6 citations on the profile |
| Reviewed | Sep 2026 |
Classification and note come from the Caffeic acid phenethyl ester profile, checked against Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch (Health Canada) listings at the reviewed date.
What this means
- 01
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester can be sold in Canada as a supplement, food or cosmetic ingredient under the classification above, without drug approval.
- 02
Supplement status means Health Canada has not evaluated any health claim; manufacturers are responsible for safety and labeling, and quality varies by product.
- 03
Injectable or "research use only" versions are not supplements. That label does not make human use lawful, and injectables fall under medicines rules.
What Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is
Did not extend mouse lifespan by the Interventions Testing Program's protocol test at either dose; a 2024 Gehan reanalysis found a 5 percent female median gain at 300 ppm. No clinical trial of CAPE itself has been published in any human population.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is one of the active constituents of propolis, the resin honeybees use to seal their hives. It is studied in cell culture as an inhibitor of the transcription factor NF-kappa B, and in rodents as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in models of ischaemia, arthritis and chemical injury.
Mechanism: In cell culture, CAPE completely blocks activation of NF-kappa B by tumour necrosis factor and other inflammatory stimuli in a dose- and time-dependent way, preventing nuclear translocation of the p65 subunit without affecting other transcription factors; reducing agents reverse this, pointing to critical sulfhydryl groups. It also inhibits T cell activation through both NFAT and NF-kappa B.
Regulatory history: Not an approved drug. Sold as a supplement ingredient and as a constituent of propolis. No human clinical trial has been published. The lifespan signal is a Gehan-only reanalysis result in female mice.
How Health Canada treats this kind of product
Authorises drugs for sale through a Notice of Compliance and Drug Identification Number. A compound that is not authorised for sale cannot lawfully be sold for human use, and personal importation of prescription drugs is limited.
The classification above is the The Longevity Archive reading of Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch listings for Caffeic acid phenethyl ester at the reviewed date, not a legal opinion. Rules change, and importing, prescribing and possessing a compound can each be treated differently. Check the regulator directly before acting on anything here.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester in other countries
United States
Not approvedSold as a dietary supplement
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester legal in the United States?United Kingdom
Not approvedSold as a supplement
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester legal in the United Kingdom?Australia
Not approvedAvailable as a supplement / complementary medicine
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester legal in Australia?Frequently asked questions
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester legal in Canada?
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester can be sold in Canada as a supplement or cosmetic ingredient, classified as "Sold as a supplement". That is not drug approval: Health Canada has not evaluated any health claim, and injectable or "research use only" versions fall outside supplement rules, so that label does not make human use lawful. On the evidence, no human study is cited on its profile.
Can I buy Caffeic acid phenethyl ester in Canada?
Yes, in supplement or cosmetic form. In Canada Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is classified as "Sold as a supplement", so oral, topical or cosmetic products can be sold under supplement rules. Injectable versions and products labeled "research use only" are not supplements and are not approved for human use.
Is Caffeic acid phenethyl ester Health Canada approved?
No. In Canada Caffeic acid phenethyl ester is classified as "Sold as a supplement", which is not a Health Canada marketing approval. For comparison, the US FDA status is: Not an approved drug. Sold as a supplement ingredient and as a constituent of propolis. No human clinical trial has been published. The lifespan signal is a Gehan-only reanalysis result in female mice.. On the evidence, no human study is cited on its profile.
Related compounds in Canada
Full research profile
Mechanism, cited studies, FDA status and the full legal summary for Caffeic acid phenethyl ester live on its compound profile.
Caffeic acid phenethyl ester profileThis page is general information about the regulatory status of Caffeic acid phenethyl ester in Canada, current as of Sep 2026. It is not legal advice, and classifications change; check Health Canada, Health Products and Food Branch directly or consult a lawyer for a specific situation. Educational use only. This database summarizes published research. It is not medical advice and contains no dosing protocols or recommendations for personal use. The Longevity Archive has no vendor relationships and does not recommend where to buy anything.