Health Canada

Guidance documents are administrative instruments not having force of law and, as such, allow for flexibility in approach. This guidance document is intended to provide guidance to manufacturers and importers to organize and submit an application in a timely manner for the sale or importation of...

We're making improvements to the nutrition facts table and list of ingredients on food labels based on feedback from Canadians and stakeholders. The food industry has a transition period of 5 years to make these changes. This means that you might start seeing new food labels as early as 2017.

The ingredient list shows all the ingredients in a packaged food.

Learn about food labels and how they can help you make informed food choices.

Food labels, nutrition facts tables, serving size, ingredients, % daily value, nutrition claims.

Labelling on food helps Canadians make healthy and informed choices about the foods they buy and eat.

Learn to make healthier food choices by using the Nutrition Facts table on prepackaged foods. Calories are found in the Nutrition Facts table.

The percent daily value (% DV) found in a nutrition facts table can help you make informed food choices. Learn how to use % DV to choose healthier foods.

Learn about serving size in the nutrition facts table of packaged food. Find out how to use it to make informed food choices.

A nutrition facts table can help you make informed food choices when grocery shopping and preparing food at home. Learn about what is in a nutrition facts table and how to use it.

Health Canada publishes two databases which list nutrient values in Canadian foods: The Canadian Nutrient File (CNF) and the Nutrient Value of Some Common Foods (NVSCF)

The Guidelines describe a body weight classification system used to identify health risks associated with body weight in individuals and in populations.

Health Canada develops and promotes guidelines for healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy weights.

History of Nutrition standards in North America

Recommendations for nutrient intakes are called Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs). DRIs are based on the amount of vitamins, minerals and other substances like fibre that we need - not only to prevent deficiencies, but also to lower the risk of chronic disease.

The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) are a comprehensive set of nutrient reference values for healthy populations that can be used for assessing and planning diets.

Health Canada recognizes the important role healthy eating plays in promoting the health of children and youth.

In Canada, common allergens and gluten sources must always be clearly declared on food labels when present as ingredients or components of ingredients. They will appear in the ingredient list or in a “Contains” statement located immediately after the ingredient list.

It is estimated that between 1.8 and 2.1 million Canadians may be affected by food allergies.

Health Canada is proposing to introduce mandatory front-of-package (FOP) labelling requirements for foods high in nutrients of public health concern - sodium, sugars and saturated fat - due to excessive intakes.