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Food > Labelling > Nutrition Labelling > Toolkit Section F - Presentation of the NFT Graphic and Technical Requirements
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1. Definitions and Prescribed ElementsThe Regulations refer to many technical terms used in the printing and graphic industry, such as font (the type of print), leading (the vertical spacing of lines of information), point size (a unit of measure for the size of the font) and rules (lines). These definitions and others may be found in the "Glossary of Terms" near the end of the Toolkit. Presentation of informationTo ensure legibility, the graphic and technical requirements of the NFT are highly prescriptive. Sections B.01.450, B.01.460 and Schedule L of the Regulations set specifications, with respect to:
Note how prescriptive the Regulations are. Use of the templates in Section K is an easy way of evaluating the compliance of a label with the graphic and technical requirements of the Regulations. The NFT, characters, and the larger lines (1 and 2 point rules) may be made larger than those appearing in Schedule L, if enlarged in a uniform manner. Some notes on presentationThe following notes highlight some of the peculiarities of the presentation rules. All formats: Absence of lines (rules) in smaller formats
Declaration of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids:
Note, that when omega-3, omega-6 and monounsaturates are declared, they line up with the "saturated & trans" declaration. However, when polyunsaturates are also declared the omega-3 and omega-6 are further indented. Notice the nomenclature of the omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids. When polyunsaturates are declared, the expressions "Omega-6" and Omega-3" may be used. However, when polyunsaturates are not declared, one of the following expressions must be used: Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fat, Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids, Omega-6 Polyunsaturated, Omega-6 Polyunsaturates. Similar expressions exist for omega-3 fatty acids. Standard formats: Additional information:
Linear format (Standard and Simplified, figures 16 and 17) The Linear Format is a rectangle. However, it may be tailored to the available space on the label and the outer dimensions of the package. Depending on the amount of information presented and the configuration of the label, the Linear Format may appear in different shapes, e.g., rectangle or square. Consequently, use of the templates for the Linear Format is limited. Both the English and French information may be in one box. However, all the information in one language must precede all the information in the second language. Languages may not be mixed.
Dividing the NFTIn some cases, the manufacturer may wish to divide the NFT into two parts. This is allowed only when additional information is provided: the table may be divided only after the declaration of iron, as set out in Figure 19 of Schedule L. No other manipulations or variations are allowed. A basic NFT with core information cannot be divided into two parts. When it is absolutely impossible to fit a Standard Format (Standard, Narrow Standard or Bilingual Standard) that contains only core and triggered additional information on 15 % of the ADS and on one continuous surface in a manner that will not cause damage to the product when the package is manipulated to view the NFT, then a Bilingual Horizontal Format may be used.
2. ColourColour of typeBoth characters and lines (rules) must be displayed in a single colour that is equivalent to 100 % black on a white or neutral background. Backgrounds may have a maximum 5 % tint [B.01.450 (2)]. Interpretation of this requirement is that black type should always be used if black ink has been used in the printing process. However, another dark colour will suffice when black has not been used. Dark blue, dark brown and dark green are acceptable. Light green, red, orange, yellow, silver and reverse printing (white printing on a dark background) are not acceptable.
Background colourThe background colour in the NFT should be white or neutral, with a maximum 5 % tint. This level of tint provides only a slight colour to a background.
The examples here are for illustration purposes only: photocopying may distort colour. It should be noted that evaluation of colour tint by eye is very subjective and often inaccurate. Dark backgrounds are not permitted, such as in reverse print (white print on a dark background). In general, neither are clear backgrounds, where the colour is provided by the product underneath the clear packaging.
However, some exceptions do occur. Because of the nature of the packaging material, fibre and Styrofoam egg cartons and brown paper bread bags are not required to have a white background. The NFT may be printed directly onto these surfaces without the application of a background colour.
3. Type RequirementsFontAn NFT must use a single
non-decorative "sans serif" font [B.01.450(3)(a)]. "Serif"
is a slight finishing stroke or projection off the main stroke of a letter, for
example " Examples:
While the Regulations do not prescribe the specific font that must be employed, there is a provision that not more than one font may be used in a NFT. The figures in Schedule L use Helvetica font. However, other sans serif fonts are permitted. Schedule L sets out font size and font width for all versions of all NFT formats. Larger versions of the formats require normal width font while many smaller versions are required to use condensed width fonts. However, fonts may not be reduced beyond a condensed width. Characters may not touch each other or the lines [B.01.450(3)(a)].
Font variation to highlight nutrientsIt is not permitted to highlight nutrients by using larger or smaller print than prescribed or by italicising or changing font.
Clarity and legibility of typeThe Nutrition Facts table as printed on the label is expected to meet all technical requirements set out by the Food and Drug Regulations. Characters (letters and numbers) must not touch each other or the lines [B.01.450(3)(a)]. It is unacceptable to have fuzzy print within the NFT. However, label print may expand, or bleed, during some printing processes (such as the "flexo" process) and on some packaging materials (such as carton). Therefore, label designers, printers and manufacturers must take these factors into consideration when designing a label. When bleed may be a problem, larger versions of the NFT should be used. Or when necessary, lines and print should be reduced on the design or printing plates, to ensure that the final product is compliant with the Regulations.
4. Crowding of Information and/or Narrowing the NFTWhile the width of the NFT is not prescribed by the Regulations, the information must remain clear and legible at all times. Consequently, while the narrowing of the NFT is not prohibited, care must be taken to ensure that information does not become overcrowded. The columns for "Amount" and "% Daily Value" should not touch or overlap. This may also become a concern when normal width NFTs use fonts that have wider, more rounded characters than those of the Helvetica or Arial fonts. Although not set out in Schedule L, there should be a minimum of 2 spaces separating the "Amount" column (the farthest left on the label) and the "% Daily Value" column as shown below.
5. Adjusting the NFT RectangleWidening the NFTThe NFT may be widened. However, care should be taken not to widen the table so much that it becomes difficult to read. Readers must be able to visibly follow a line of information from the nutrient name to the % DV column.
Tapering the NFT to follow the form of the containerSchedule L clearly sets out the form of the NFT a rectangle with straight sides and right angled corners. The shape of the NFT may not be modified to follow the shape of the container, as shown below.
6. Destruction of the NFT Upon Opening of PackageThe NFT must not be placed in an area where it will be destroyed when the package is opened. Note: This prohibition does not apply to single serving containers of food, such as a can of soft drink or a single frozen entree
The NFT must not be printed on the tear strip or on the neck of these bottles as in all cases the NFT is destroyed when the bottle is opened.
Single use containersCertain containers are considered single use containers. These containers are always discarded after opening and are never used to store the left over contents, e.g., fish or meat cans that are opened with a key, cake mixes. As these packages are thrown away after opening, the NFT may be placed over the metal tear strip, even though the NFT will be destroyed upon opening. If manufacturers choose to place the NFT over the tear strip, then each side of the can is considered as one continuous surface of ADS and the size of the NFT is determined accordingly (i.e., choose the largest version of the NFT that will fit on 15% of the ADS and one continuous surface).
What constitutes "one continuous surface"? Note, however, that containers such as the meat can illustrated here require careful treatment. While the ADS of the can does not change, there are two acceptable methods of assessing the area that constitutes "one continuous surface", because the metal strip that opens the can essentially divides large continuous surfaces of ADS into smaller areas of ADS.
7. Continuous Surfaces [B.01.451]The NFT must be on one continuous surface. It is not allowed to continue over edges and corners onto a second surface or panel. However, with multi-sided containers where the angles are obtuse and a consumer can easily visually follow the labelling information across the angles, two or more panels may be considered a "continuous surface" of ADS. For example, on an eight-sided Tetra Pak container, three panels may be considered one continuous surface of ADS. The sides of cylindrical containers are considered to be one continuous surface.
8. Visibility Under Customary Conditions of SaleThe NFT must be visible under customary conditions of sale. For example, the outer packaging must not be destroyed or individual units manipulated in order to view the NFT(s). This applies to such packages as multi-packs of yogurt with individual units sharing a common lid. In addition, the NFT should not be printed on the inner side of a label affixed to a bottle of clear liquid, such as vegetable oil, forcing the consumer to view the NFT through the contents of the container.
Since the product is sold as one unit, a NFT is not required on each cup. 9. Orientation of the NFTIt is preferable that the NFT be orientated in the same manner as other labelling information [B.01.452]. However, no objection is taken to placing the NFT in another manner that fits, providing that the product does not leak or is not damaged when the product is manipulated to view the NFT.
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