Bill C-51, which would lead to more regulatory scrutiny of natural health products sold in Canada, is drawing some criticism.

A rally was held Friday at the Federal Court in Calgary to protest passage of the proposed legislation, which would amend the federal Food and Drugs Act.

One hundred protesters showed up to voice their opinions about the legislation, which received second reading in April.

Websites and online groups have sprung up across the country imploring their members to lobby their MPs to halt the progress of the bill.

Critics feel the bill will outlaw up to 60 per cent of natural health products currently sold in Canada, making many natural health products that have been sold in Canada for decades unavailable for purchase and penalizing parents who give herbs or supplements to their children.

They also argue that the government could designate any natural health product a prescription drug, making it available by prescription only. They say these types of provisions will force small companies out of the market.

In a speech last month at the Emerging Issues in Customs conference in Mississauga, Ont., federal Health Minister Tony Clement defended the bill, saying that it would allow the federal government to be able to continuously monitor the safety of products even after they have been approved.

"We propose maintaining a rigorous assessment of health products prior to making them available," he said. "On top of that, Bill C-51 would provide the authority we now lack to make a recall as soon as we know there's a problem.

"We're seeking to gain the new authority to reassure the public that the government can, and will, act to protect health and safety as early as possible," he said.