Labelling Regulatory Requirements
Canadian food labelling regulations are administered by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Health Canada is responsible, under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA), for the establishment of policies, regulations and standards relating to the health, safety, and nutritional quality of food sold in Canada. CFIA is responsible for the administration of non-health and safety food labelling regulations related to misrepresentation, labelling, advertising, composition, grade and packaging. CFIA is also responsible for the enforcement of the food safety and non-food safety regulations.
The following issues need to be considered when working through Canada’s labelling requirements:
- Common Name
- Net Quantity Declaration
- List of Ingredients and Allergen Labelling
- Identity and Principal Place of Business
- Date Markings
- Nutrition labelling
- Bilingual Requirements
- Irradiation
- Sweeteners
- Country of Origin
An important reference source for food processors is the Labelling Tool which can be found on the CFIA website.
Ingredient Listing
In Canada all ingredients must be listed by common name, in descending order of proportion. Ingredients for certain formulations of standard products are not required, but these exceptions are different for each country. In Canada, ingredient specifications fall under the Food and Drugs Act, and the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act.
Nutritional Labelling
An ingredient list simply lists the ingredients of a product in descending order. Nutritional labels are more technical and more detailed. They identify actual amounts of proteins, vitamins, calories, fat, etc. per serving.
There are two ways to generate nutrient values. They differ in the manner in which nutrient data are obtained:
- Direct approach – measuring nutrient levels by product sampling and laboratory analysis
- Indirect approach – using information from other sources such as generic product databases to determine nutrient values
In Canada, statements on labels relating nutritional content to diseases or health benefits are limited to those approved by Health Canada. Further, descriptive labelling terms and symbols such as a heart or the term ‘light’ have now been standardized as to their legally implied meaning.
The Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising is available online.
Website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/fssa/labeti/guide/toce.shtml
Canada's nutrition labelling regulations have been designed to provide easily understandable information about the nutrient content of food in a standardized format. This allows consumers to make informed food choices toward healthy eating goals.
Nutritional labelling is mandatory for most prepackaged foods and is required to be presented in a certain manner when it appears on a food label. The presentation options for the Nutrition Facts Table are available online.
Certain foods or types of foods hold either exemptions or prohibitions from displaying a Nutrition Facts Table. The table may be voluntarily provided for foods that have an exemption. However, when it does appear, the information must be provided in accordance with the Food and Drug Regulations.
Health, Nutrient Content and Allergen Free Claims
Health Canada conducts health claim assessments to ensure claims made for food products are truthful and not misleading. Scientific evidence is required to substantiate all health claims on food labels and advertising. Consult the health claims guidance documents on the Health Canada website prior to placing a health claim on the product label:
Website: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/label-etiquet/claims-reclam/assess-evalu/index-eng.php
Check CFIA’s nutrient content claims guidance documents for specific requirements when making a nutrient content claim on a label:
Allergen control in the processing plant is critical to making the right statements about allergens on the product’s label. Check CFIA’s List of Ingredients and Allergens and guidance documents prior to including an allergy-free claim on the product label:
