Below is an interactive image of a food product label which depicts the mandatory information as well as requirements related to certain voluntary information such as claims and brand names. As you scroll over the items, a brief description will appear or you can click on the item for more information. Please visit the food labelling and advertising website for further information.
Description of the interactive image - Labelling
Origin claim
The use of Product of Canada or the qualified Made in Canada claims are
encouraged to ensure clarity for the consumer and to enhance their ability to
identify Canadian made foods. Specific guidelines were developed to reflect
consumer and industry expectations about what constitutes a Canadian
product.
Name and Address
The name and address identifies the responsible party and provides the
location where a company can be contacted. It must be declared on any part of
the food container except the bottom, in either French or English.
Allergy statement
Allergen statements assist consumers in avoiding the potentially serious
consequences of allergic and sensitivity reactions to foods. Priority allergens
are required to be declared in food label ingredient lists. A separate
statement at the end of the list of ingredients may also be used.
List of ingredients
The list of ingredients must be listed in descending order of proportion by
weight, as determined before they are combined to make the food. It is required
on most prepackaged foods. The ingredient list may be shown anywhere on the
package, except the bottom and must be shown in both English and French.
Nutrition Facts table
The Nutrition Facts table (NFT) provides information about the nutrient
content of a food (including energy (Calories) and 13 core nutrients) in a
standardized format, allowing for comparison among foods at the point of
purchase. The NFT must be
displayed on the available display surface of a package in both English and
French.
Date marking
The date marking (also known as "best before") is the anticipated
amount of time that an unopened food product, when stored under appropriate
conditions, will retain quality characteristics such as freshness, taste or
appearance. "Best before" dates must appear on pre-packaged foods
with a durable life of 90 days or less and may be declared on foods with a
shelf life greater than 90 days. The "best before" date may appear
anywhere on the package. If it is placed on the bottom, a clear indication of
its location must be shown elsewhere on the label. It must be present in both
English and French or indicated by using specified bilingual abbreviations.
Composition claim
Highlighted ingredient claim: a voluntary claim to draw attention to or
emphasize the presence of an ingredient, component, class of ingredients or the
flavour in a food, using words, pictures or graphics. These types of claims
must not deceive a consumer with respect to the composition or quality of a
food.
Principal Display Panel
The Principal Display Panel (PDP) is the part of the label that is displayed
or visible under normal or customary conditions of sale or use (usually the
front panel). The common name and net quantity of a food must be displayed on
the PDP .
Brand name
Not required but frequently used by a manufacturer to identify its products
distinctively from others of the same type. Brand names are subject to all
labelling requirements, including compliance with provisions regarding
claims.
Net quantity
The net quantity is the amount of food in the package. It must be present on
the principal display panel in a minimum type height.
Nutrient content claim
A nutrient content claim is a voluntary statement which describes the amount
of a nutrient in a food or a group of foods. Only those listed in the Food and
Drug Regulations are permitted on food labels when the foods meet the stated
criteria. When made, nutrient content claims must be in both English and
French. When a nutrient content claim appears on a food, a Nutrition Facts
table is required.
Common name
The common name is the name of the food printed in boldface type in the Food
and Drug Regulations; the name prescribed by any other regulation; or the name
by which the food is generally known. It must be present on the principal
display panel in both English and French.