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General requirements

Purpose of the nutrition labelling regulations

Canada's nutrition labelling regulations have been designed to provide a system for conveying information about the nutrient content of food in a standardized format, which allows for comparison among foods at the point of purchase. Clear, uniform information supports consumers in making informed food choices toward healthy eating goals.

Canadians need nutrition information to permit dietary management of chronic diseases of public health significance, and to help them make food choices that may reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases.

Foods requiring a Nutrition Facts table

The Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) state that the Nutrition Facts table (NFt) is mandatory for most prepackaged foods and is required to be presented in a certain manner when it appears on a food label [B.01.001, B.01.401(1), FDR]. The Presentation of the Nutrition Facts table section outlines these requirements.

Certain foods or types of foods hold either exemptions or prohibitions from displaying an NFt. The NFt may be voluntarily provided for foods that have an exemption; however, when it does appear, the information must be provided in accordance with the FDR.

Foods requiring a front-of-package nutrition symbol

Please refer to the Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol section for more information on these requirements.

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