Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Labels in Canada

Health Canada has currently been working towards introducing mandatory Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition labels on foods high in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium - as these have been linked to chronic health issues when consumed in excess. These new, easy-to-read labels are designed to be easily seen on the front of packaged foods and act as a quick and easy way for consumers to identify foods that may contribute to health risks such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes - when consumed in excess.

Purpose of FOP Labels

The main purpose of FOP labelling is to provide quick and easy guidance to consumers to identify foods high in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium without having to read and interpret the full nutrition facts table. Additionally, they aim to encourage consumers to choose foods with these labels less often. The new FOP labelling mandate encourages food manufacturers to reformulate products to contain less added sugars, lower sodium, and less saturated fat to avoid FOP labels being placed on their products.

Looking out for FOP Labels

A magnifying glass symbol will be used to grab consumers attention, accompanied by a clear indication of whether the product is high in saturated fat, sugars, or sodium. This is based on the Daily Values (DV), which represent the maximum intake for these nutrients. The thresholds for requiring a FOP label include:

  • General packaged foods → must exceed 15% of the Daily Value (DV) for saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.
  • Small serving sizes → foods with ≤ 30g or 30mL must exceed 10% DV.
  • Main dishes → foods with ≤ 200g serving size must exceed 30% DV.

Any food that is prepackaged and exceeds the thresholds for saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium are required to display an FOP label.

Exemptions

Certain foods are exempt from FOP labeling due to their inherent nutritional benefits or specific uses. These include →

  • Fresh, frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables.
  • Plain dairy products such as milk and yogurt as they are important sources of calcium needed to promote bone health and reduce osteoporosis risk
  • Raw, single-ingredient meats.
  • Foods formulated for specific populations, such as military rations.
  • Products like butter, sugar, salt, honey, and vegetable oils.

Future Implementation

The mandatory FOP labelling requirement will be enforced on January 1st, 2026. This change will not only influence consumer choices but also prompt manufacturers to adapt their products to meet these new standards, ultimately contributing to a reduction in chronic diseases linked to excessive intake of these nutrients.

Some key takeaways:

FOP labels will help consumers quickly identify foods that are high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium

They do not mean that a food is ‘bad’ or ‘unhealthy’, but they do highlight which nutrients, when consumed in excess, can potentially have a negative impact on our health.

The food industry may begin to reformulate products to create ‘healthier’ products overtime

 

Haileigh Chenier, MAN Student