William Yan, PhD
Scientist Emeritus, Health Products and Food Branch, Health Canada

In 2010, Dr. William Yan was appointed Director of the Bureau of Nutritional Sciences in the Food Directorate where he led several high-profile Ministerial priorities under the Healthy Eating Strategy including: the amendment of the nutrition labelling regulations; the prohibition of partially hydrogenated oils; sodium reduction, and the development of the front-of-package nutrition labelling regulations. He was also instrumental in developing a regulatory framework for products in the Food/Natural Health Products interface resulting in the publication of the new Supplemented Foods Regulation in July 2022.

Dr. Yan led the development of a two-part CNS workshop on Policy and Regulatory Affairs 101 that outlines the various stages of the regulatory development process. This includes understanding what information Health Canada needs to consider for new/revised regulation and the consultation processes that inform its development. He has been a long-standing CNS member, regularly meeting with CNS leaders to inform about Health Canada initiatives, solicit engagement, and being open and receptive to policy guidance and recommendations presented by the Society and its members. Dr. Yan has engaged in several activities to support trainees, particularly serving as a mentor and a speaker to offer insight related to career pathways. After retiring from Health Canada in 2022, Dr. Yan has continued his teaching of undergraduate courses and leading the post-graduate Food Policy and Regulatory Affairs program at the University of Ottawa. In 2023, Dr. Yan’s career achievement was recognized by his appointment as Health Products and Food Branch Scientist Emeritus at Health Canada.