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 Section V: Nutrition Labelling

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 Section VI: Nutrient Content Claims

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 Section VII: Health-Related Claims

Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising

Section VI: Nutrient Content Claims
Section 6.2.2

Sections 6.1 to 6.1.9 | Sections 6.1.10 to 6.1.11.3 | Section 6.2.1 | Section 6.2.2 | Section 6.2.3
Section 6.2.4 | Section 6.2.5 | Section 6.2.6 | Section 6.3 | Section 6.4 | Annexes 1 - 3

6.2.2 Protein and Amino Acids

6.2.2.1 How to Declare Protein

Protein follows energy in the nutrition labelling format and is expressed in grams per serving of stated size. Individual amino acids, if declared, are also expressed in grams and should follow protein (see table below).

The quantity of protein and amino acids should be rounded to the nearest whole gram for amounts of 10 g or more, and to the nearest tenth of a gram for amounts less than 10 g. If no protein is present, its absence is to be indicated by a zero (see Annex 2 for foods to which amino acids may be added).

A statement or claim with respect to proteins or amino acids, collectively or by name, is permitted provided a Reasonable Daily Intake of the food has a protein rating of 20 or more (see Annex 1 for Reasonable Daily Intakes). The nine essential amino acids are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine.

The following statements on a label or in an advertisement DO NOT require the food to have a protein rating of 20 or more (B.01.305):

  • protein as a part of the common name of an ingredient;
  • amino acids declared in a list of ingredients;
  • single amino acid preparations sold as foods;
  • foods represented for use in gluten-free diets;
  • declaration of phenylalanine on a food containing aspartame or a sweetener that contains aspartame;
  • foods represented for use in protein or amino acid restricted diets;
  • declaration of the amount of protein contained in a food.

NUTRITION INFORMATION NUTRITIONNELLE

per x g or ml serving
(x cups, items, etc.)
par portion de x g ou ml
(x tasses, unités, etc.)

Energy/Énergie x Cal
x kJ
Protein/Protéines x g
methionine/méthionine x g
tryptophan/tryptophane x g
Fat/Matières grasses x g
Carbohydrate/Glucides x g

6.2.2.2 Summary Table of Protein and Amino Acid Claims

The following table provides a summary of the Regulations and guidelines pertaining to protein and amino acids (see also Sections 6.1, 6.3 and 6.4).

Claim

Compositional Requirements

Information Required on Label and Advertisement*:

a. "source of..."

"contains..."

"good source of..."

"high in..."

Reasonable Daily Intake of the food must have a protein rating greater than or equal to 20;

or
30 g of breakfast cereal + 125 ml of milk must have a protein rating of greater than or equal to 20. (B.01.305)

- g protein/serving (for protein claims) (B.01.300)

and
- g each essential amino acid/serving (for individual or collective amino acid claims)
(B.01.300)
b. "excellent source of protein"

"rich in protein"

"very high in protein"

Reasonable Daily Intake of the food must have a protein rating greater than or equal to 40. - g protein/serving. (B.01.300)
c. "(%, fraction or quantity) more protein than (naming the reference food)" Reasonable Daily Intake of the food must have a protein rating greater than or equal to 20.

Compared to the reference food it must have:

- greater than or equal to 25% more protein;

and
- greater than or equal to 7 g more protein/serving.

- g protein/serving. (B.01.300)

and
- (the %, fraction or number of grams) more protein than (naming the reference food) to be either:
a) part of, or grouped with the most prominent claim that the food is higher in protein;

or
b) clearly linked to this claim:
i) on the principal display panel when the claim is made on the label;
and
ii) in the advertisement when the claim is made in the advertisement.

d. "contains all essential amino acids"

"a good source of essential amino acids"

- a Reasonable Daily Intake of the food must have a protein rating greater than or equal to 20;

or
- 30 g of breakfast cereal + 125 ml of milk must have a protein rating of greater than or equal to 20. (B.01305)

- g protein/serving. (B.01.300)

and
- g of each essential amino acid/serving
(B.01.300)

* When claims are made on a label, unless otherwise specified, this information must appear on the label. For advertising claims, the required information must appear either in the advertisement or on the label.

Sections 6.1 to 6.1.9 | Sections 6.1.10 to 6.1.11.3 | Section 6.2.1 | Section 6.2.2 | Section 6.2.3
Section 6.2.4 | Section 6.2.5 | Section 6.2.6 | Section 6.3 | Section 6.4 | Annexes 1 - 3


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