Health Canada

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.

Food from foodservice establishments is often high in sodium. Excess sodium intake can increase the risk of high blood pressure, stroke, and chronic diseases such as heart or kidney disease.

Health Canada is proposing to prohibit the use of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the main source of industrially produced trans fatty acids (trans fats), in foods sold in Canada.

Healthy eating is more than the foods you eat. It is also about where, when, why and how you eat.

Regulatory Initiative: Amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations - Nutrition Labelling - Forward Regulatory Plan 2015-2017

Regulatory Initiative: Amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations Division 15 and 16 Clean Up for Food Additives - Forward Regulatory Plan 2015-2017

As part of the Healthy Eating Strategy, Health Canada is proposing to restrict the marketing of unhealthy food and beverages to children.