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Nutrition Labeling
Nutrition labeling, depending on your product, may
be a good marketing tool as consumers are
increasingly interested in the health aspects of food
and want to make good food choices. A nutrition
label may swing their choice to your product. On
December 12, 2002, changes to the Food and Drug
regulations resulted in changes to the nutritional
labeling information, which appears on food and
beverage products. Businesses have from 3 to
5 years depending on the size of the business, to
comply with the new regulations. These new
regulations requires a standardized “Nutrition Facts”
panel which includes information on 14 core
nutrients, serving size and per cent of daily required
amount of nutrient. Nutrient content claims and
health related claims are optional but if stated must
follow the new guidelines. For detailed information
on the nutritional labeling requirements, contact
CFIA.
Nutrition Facts
Per 125 mL (87 g)
Amount
% Daily Value
Calories 80
Fat 0.5 g
1%
Saturated 0 g
0%
+ Trans 0 g
Cholesterol 0 mg
Sodium 0 mg
Carbohydrate 18 g
6%
Fibre 2 g
0%
Sugars 2 g
Protein 3 g
Vitamin A
2%
Vitamin C
10%
Calcium
0%
Iron
2%
An example of the “Nutritional Facts” information that is
required for all labels.
Package Size Regulations
Many processed foods, such as jams, pie fillings,
condiments and salad dressings, have standard
package size requirements. For instance, jams,
jellies, marmalades, fruit spreads and preserves can
be sold in glass or metal containers, in volumes of
250 ml, 374 ml, 500 ml, 750 ml, 1 L, 1.5 L, 2 L, 3 L
or 4 L. Complete details for these and other
processed products are outlined in the Processed
Product Regulations of the Canada Agricultural
Products Act, available from CFIA.
Principal Display Panel
All the information on food labels, including
graphics must be true and not misleading or
deceptive and must be easily read and prominently
displayed. The common name of the food and the
net quantity must appear together on the principal
display panel. The common name is prescribed by
the Food and Drug Regulations ie., orange juice
from concentrate, or the name by which the food is
commonly known ie., chocolate cake. The name is
the product’s identity and its design helps define the
personality of the product – add a personal touch by
including a little about who produces the product or
where it comes from.
Name and Address of Responsible Party
The name and address of the responsible party by or
for whom a prepackaged product is produced must
be declared on any label panel except the bottom in a
minimum height of 1.6 mm. The address must be
complete enough for postal purposes.
Durable Life
A durable life date (“best before” date) is required
on prepackaged foods with a durable life of less than
90 days. Include storage instructions (if different
than normal room temperature storage conditions).
Two digit bilingual symbols for the date must be
used with year listed first, then the month (ie JA for
January, SE for September) followed by the day
(02 or 29).