Specific nutrient content claim requirements
Sodium (salt) claims
The Summary table for sodium (salt) claims below provides the permitted claims and their associated conditions.
Note: The claim "very low sodium" or synonymous claims are not permitted on foods sold in Canada.
Salted
Reference to the addition of salt to a food is not considered to be a nutrient content claim. The word "salted", or a synonymous term, used to indicate that salt has been added (either as part of the common name or as a separate claim: e.g., "extra salt", "salt water taffy", "salt cod", "salted peanuts"), does not trigger the declaration of the Nutrition Facts table for foods exempted by subsection B.01.401(2), FDR. Similarly, the representation "light salted" can be made on fish without triggering the Nutrition Facts table on exempted foods.
In addition, a reference to a "salty taste" is considered a taste claim and does not trigger the Nutrition Facts table on foods otherwise exempted under subsection B.01.401(2), FDR.
Ingredients that functionally substitute for salt
The "no added sodium or salt" claim outlined in item e) of Summary Table for Sodium (Salt) Claims below specifies that the food contains "no added salt, other sodium salts or ingredients that contain sodium that functionally substitute for added salt". These include ingredients which give a salty taste to foods such as hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, soy sauce, bouillon powder or cubes, soup mix, etc.
Specific requirements related to sodium claims on bottled water can be found in the appropriate section.
Summary table for sodium (salt) claims
Note: The claims in quotation marks in column 1 are those which are permitted by the Food and Drug Regulations. The reference amounts are found in the Table of reference amounts for food.
Column 1 Claim | Column 2 Conditions - Food | Column 3 Conditions - Label or advertisement | Column 4 FDR Reference |
---|---|---|---|
a) Free of sodium or salt |
The food contains: |
Must comply with requirements and conditions for making a nutrient content claim. Nutrition Facts table is required on Foods usually exempt from displaying a Nutrition Facts table by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR [B.01.401(3)(e)(ii), FDR]. When used in an advertisement, must comply with the Advertising requirements for nutrient content claims. |
B.01.401(3)(e)(ii) Table following B.01.513, item 31 |
b) Low in sodium or salt |
The food contains: |
See conditions set out for item a) of this table. |
Table following B.01.513, item 32 |
c) Reduced in sodium or salt |
1) The food is processed, formulated, reformulated or otherwise modified so that it contains at least 25% less sodium |
The following are identified: |
Table following B.01.513, item 33 |
d) Lower in sodium or salt |
1) The food contains at least 25% less sodium |
The following are identified: |
Table following B.01.513, item 34 |
e) No added sodium or salt |
1) The food contains no added salt, other sodium salts or ingredients that contain sodium that functionally substitute for added salt. |
See conditions set out for item a) of this table. |
Table following B.01.513, item 35 |
f) Lightly salted |
1) The food contains at least 50% less sodium added than the sodium added to the similar reference food. |
The following are identified: |
Table following B.01.513, item 36 |
g) Words to the effect that: the food is "for use in a sodium-restricted diet" |
The food meets the conditions set out for one of the following claims: |
Claim or statement is made in accordance with column 1 and column 3 for items a), b), c) or d) of this table |
B.01.508, table following B.01.513, items 31 to 34 |
h) Words to the effect that the food is "for special dietary use" with respect to the sodium (salt) content |
The food meets the condition set out for one of the following claims: |
Claim or statement is made in accordance with column 1 and column 3 for items a) or b) of this table. |
B.24.003(1.1)(c) and (d), and the table following B.01.513, items 31 and 32 |
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