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Section C - Contents of the Nutrition Facts Table

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Table of Contents | Section A | Section B | Section C | Section D | Section E |
Section F | Section G | Section H | Section I | Section J | Section K

Note: The six tables in this section, which summarize the information about rounding, daily values and alternate expressions, are repeated in the special pull-out section of this Toolkit, Section K – Tools and Templates.

Core Information	Additional Information
Figure 1.1, Schedule L	Figure 18.1, Schedule L
[D] These sample Nutrition Facts tables from Schedule L of the Food and Drug Regulations illustrate core information that is mandatory for most tables, and additional information which may be declared. Bilingual versions of these NFTs are illustrated later in this section.	[D]

Note: This section provides the basic requirements for the contents of the Nutrition Facts table (NFT). Note, however, that the information in the table, its format and its method of presentation will vary, depending upon the class and sub-class of food: prepackaged foods; prepackaged foods for children under two years of age; prepackaged foods for use in manufacturing other foods; multiple-serving, ready-to-eat prepackaged products served in a commercial or industrial enterprise or institution. (See Section A, “Classes of Food for the Purposes of Nutrition Labelling”.) Please go to the appropriate sections for further details.

1. Serving Size

The declaration of the serving size is based on the edible portion of the food as sold.

In some formats there are additional requirements. In the case of the Dual Format – Foods Requiring Preparation, for example, the serving size is declared for the product as sold and as prepared. As well, in both the Dual and Aggregate Formats for Different Amounts of Food, two serving sizes are provided.

Basic Requirements
[Table to B.01.401, B.01.002A(1)]

The serving size is a quantity of food that can be reasonably consumed at a single eating occasion. (See the Section K of this Toolkit for a list of reasonable serving sizes (reproduced from the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising.))

Consumer friendly measures

For the purposes of this Toolkit, the expression “consumer friendly measure” means:

• a fraction of food – e.g., 1/8 pizza
• a common visual measure of food – e.g., household measures such as cups, tablespoons, teaspoons, 250 ml, 125 ml, 15 ml, 5 ml, etc.
• a unit of food – e.g., square of chocolate; slice of bread, 1 cookie, pat of butter, X mm slice, etc.
• an entire container – for a single serving unit of food

Metric serving sizes

Most formats of the Nutrition Facts table require that the serving size be declared in both a consumer friendly measure and in a metric measure. The metric measure is declared in grams (g) or in millilitres (ml).

• Grams (g) are declared when the net quantity of the product is declared by weight or by count, and when the product is a fruit for garnish or flavour (e.g., maraschino cherries), olives or pickles.
• Millilitres (ml) are used when the net quantity of the product is declared by volume.

When the consumer friendly measure and the metric measure are the same

Certain metric measures are visibly measurable and are considered consumer friendly measures. For liquid foods, these declarations fulfill the requirement to declare a serving size in both a consumer friendly measure and a metric unit.

The following metric measures are considered consumer friendly measures. You will note that these measurements provide for multiples of the metric teaspoon (5 ml), metric tablespoon (15 ml) and fractions and multiples of the metric cup (250 ml).

5 ml 10 ml 15 ml 25 ml 30 ml 45 ml 50 ml - 500 ml, in increments of 25 ml
	For liquid products, rounded metric units of volume (ml) may serve as both a consumer-friendly measure and metric measure.

Other non-usual metric volumes, such as 185 ml, 240 ml, 287 ml, etc., are not considered consumer friendly measures and may not be used alone to fulfill the serving size requirements. (Exceptions to this rule apply to single serving containers. See single serving containers for further clarification (later in this section).)

Products with a non-uniform shape:
Certain products have a non-uniform shape, such as roasts, hams or whole fish. For these products, consumer friendly measures such as an “x mm slice” or a fraction of product are not useful measures. In these cases, a single metric declaration in weight, i.e., 100 grams, will suffice to fulfill the requirement to declare a serving size in both a consumer friendly measure and a metric unit.

For non-uniform products, such as shown here, a simple weight declaration of 100 g is acceptable as a serving size declaration.

Deli meats:
In the case of deli meats sold in chubs or industrial formats the serving size may be declared using a consumer friendly measure and a metric unit in the following manner “Per approximately 3 slices (55 g)” or by declaring a single metric measure of “100 g”. If choosing the second option, only “100 g” may be used, other metric values may not be used.

Spaghetti:
In the case of long, dry noodles which are difficult to measure, the following options are possible:

“per 1/4 box (85 g)”, or “per 85 g (about 1 cup prepared al dente)”

Foods requiring preparation AND for which the nutrition information is the same for the food “As Sold” and “As Prepared”: In cases where the nutrient content of a food is not altered by the preparation of the food, the food may use the Standard, Horizontal or Linear format and declare the serving size of both the food as sold and the food as prepared, e.g., drink crystals: “Per 1 tbsp (2 g), about 1 cup prepared”. This provision is always optional. Examples: frozen concentrated orange juice or drink crystals that are prepared through the addition of water, some popping corn, etc.

Abbreviations for units of measure

Certain abbreviations, which are considered bilingual, must always be used in the Nutrition Facts table:

• mg (milligram)
• g (gram)
• ml or mL (millilitre)

Other abbreviations are optional and should only be used when space constraints exist.

• tsp (teaspoon)
• tbsp (tablespoon)
• c. à thé or cuil. à thé (cuillère à thé)
• c. à soupe or cuil. à soupe (cuillère à soupe)

Reasonable Serving Size

Although there is considerable variation in the manner of declaration of the serving size among the different Nutrition Facts table formats, there is always a requirement for the serving size to be declared for the product as sold. This serving is based on the edible portion of the food and is the amount of food that one adult would reasonably eat at one eating occasion. The manufacturer has some flexibility in determining serving sizes.

The 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising provides a list of reasonable serving sizes that may be used as a reference tool and guide when evaluating the appropriateness of a serving size. (Reproduced in Section K of the Toolkit.)

Note: When the food is pre-portioned into units commonly consumed by a person, then the serving size should be the unit or a multiple of the unit – e.g., 1 burger, 1 steak, 1 granola bar, 2 cookies, 2 slices of bread, etc. (not 7/8 of a burger, 1 ½ cookies, 1 ½ slices of bread.)

Single serving containers
[B.01.002A(2), D.01.001(3)]

(Partial excerpt from section 6.2.3 of the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising)

The entire net quantity in the package is considered to be the serving size in the following cases:

• The food packaged in the container could reasonably be eaten by one person at a single sitting.

  For example, a 600 ml bottle of juice dispensed from a vending machine is normally consumed during a single occasion. Such a bottle is considered a single serving, despite the fact that juice has a 250 ml reference amount and a serving size range of 175 - 250 ml.

• The reference amount of the food is less than 100 g or 100 ml and the package contains less than 200% of that reference amount*.

  For example, consider a 55 g bag of mixed nuts. The reference amount for mixed nuts is 50 g . The package contains less than 200% of 50 g (less than 100 g) and therefore, the 55 g bag is considered to be a single serving container, with a serving size of 55 g.

• The reference amount is 100 g or 100 ml or more and the package contains 150% or less of that reference amount*.

  For example, consider a soft drink in a 500 ml bottle. The reference amount for soft drinks is 355 ml. Since the bottle contains less than 150% of the 355 ml (150 % of 355 = 532.5 ml) reference amount, the 500 ml bottle is considered to be a single serving container, with a serving size of 500 ml.

  The provision for a single serving container is not an optional requirement. Products that meet the requirements must provide nutrition information based on the net quantity of the entire package. For example, a 355 ml can of soft drink must base its nutrition information on 355 ml and may not declare a 250 ml serving size.

Note*: See Schedule M for reference amounts. (See Section K of the Toolkit)

Serving size declarations for single serving containers
(Table to B.01.401)

The consumer friendly measure for a single serving container is the entire container. Consequently, the serving size for a single serving container should be declared in the following manner, “Per 1 container (75 g)”, “Per 1 can (355 ml)”, “Per 1 entree (240 g)”, “Per 1 drinking box (200 ml)”, “Per 1 pouch (56 g)”, etc. Although the declaration of both the consumer friendly measure and the metric measure is strongly encouraged, no exception is taken to the declaration of only the metric unit. For example, a 355 ml can of soft drink may declare "Per 1 can (355 ml)" or simply "Per 355 ml".

Serving Size Examples (including Errors)

Certain metric volumetric measures (ml) are visibly measurable and fulfil the requirements for both a consumer friendly measure and a metric measure for liquid foods.

A single metric weight declaration is generally not an acceptable serving size. A consumer friendly measure (1st ) and a metric measure (2nd, in brackets) are required for most foods. Exceptions exist for oddly shaped foods for which no consumer friendly measure exists and single serving containers of food.

Note that the serving declarations have been reversed. The consumer friendly measure should be declared first followed by the metric measure in brackets.

In this example the serving size is declared as “52 ml (20 g)”. When metric units of volume (ml) are used as a consumer friendly measure, they should be rounded to the nearest 25 ml. A more appropriate serving size declaration would be “Per 50 ml (20 g)”

		On this 100 g package, the serving size is declared as “130 ml (50 g)”. 130 ml is not a standardized measure. The consumer friendly measure should be rounded and the serving size declared as “Per 125 ml (50 g)” or “Per 1/2 package (50g)”.
This 355 ml can of soft drink declares a 250 ml serving. However, this product is obviously a single serving, i.e., it is usually consumed at a single eating occasion and meets the requirements of a single serving container. Therefore, the information must be provided for the entire product, not a portion of the product, i.e., Serving Size: “Per 1 can (355 ml)” or “Per 355 ml”.

2. Core Nutrients

Calories and the 13 nutrients shown in the Nutrition Facts table below are considered the “core” information. Declaration of this information is mandatory for most Nutrition Facts tables.

The requirements for nutrient declarations (nutrients and/or units) are different for Simplified Formats (see Section D of this Toolkit), as well as for prepackaged foods for children under two years of age (Section G) and prepackaged foods for use in manufacturing other foods (Section H). See the appropriate sections for details.

Figures are rounded according to the rules outlined in Table C1: Mandatory Nutrient Information – Rounding (Column 4 of the table to B.01.401, located at the end of this section).

Core Nutrients:

Common Infraction

The NFTs on many imported products do not declare trans fat. This is not acceptable, as trans fat is a core nutrient that must be declared in Canada.

3. Declaration of Additional Nutrients

This sample Nutrition Facts table, Figure 19 of Schedule L, illustrates all the core and additional information which may be declared in a NFT. Declaration of additional information is often voluntary, but in some cases it is triggered and must be declared. See the next section for the list of triggers.

Figures are rounded according to the rules set out in Table C2: Additional Nutrient Information – Rounding (Column 4 of the table to B.01.402, located at the end of this section).

Triggers: When additional information is mandatory
[B.01.402]

(Excerpt from the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, Section 5.4.2)

In the following cases, the declaration of “additional information”, which is generally optional, becomes mandatory:

*Sugar alcohols (also known as polyols) include erythritol, hydrogenated starch hydrolysates, isomalt, lactitol, maltitol, maltitol syrup, mannitol, sorbitol, sorbitol syrup, and xylitol.

4. Declaring Nutrients Outside the Nutrition Facts Table
[B.01.301(1)(e), B.01.008(1), B.01.014, B.01.016, B.01.019, B.01.305(2)(b)] 

(Excerpt from the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising, Section 5.4.3)

When the regulations require mandatory declarations of nutrients that are not permitted to be shown within the Nutrition Facts table, this information must be declared in the appropriate units (g, mg, etc.) per serving of stated size.

For example, a representation respecting an amino acid triggers the declaration of nine specific amino acids found in the food in grams per serving of stated size. This information must be displayed outside the Nutrition Facts table.

When any of the non-nutritive sweeteners (aspartame, sucralose or acesulfame-potassium) are added to a food, the content of these in the food must be declared in milligrams per serving of stated size outside the Nutrition Facts table adjacent to the ingredient list [B.01.008].

Information on the amounts of nutrients or food components not permitted within the Nutrition Facts table, such as boron or individually named fatty acids, may be displayed on a voluntary basis providing the information appears on any part of the label other than within the Nutrition Facts table and is declared in grams per serving of stated size.

Note that absolute amounts of vitamins and minerals – milligrams (mg), micrograms (µg), Retinol Equivalents (RE), Niacin Equivalents (NE) – even when required by regulation, may only be declared outside the Nutrition Facts table. These units are not permitted within the Nutrition Facts table as only the % Daily Value may be shown within the table. The % Daily Value may additionally be declared outside of the Nutrition Facts table per serving of stated size.

5. Tables

Table C1: Mandatory Nutrient Information – Rounding
(Column 4 of the table to B.01.401)

Information	Quantity	Rounding Metric Unit	Rounding % DV
Serving Size	<10 g or ml	multiple of 0.1 g or ml
	10 g or ml	multiple of 1 g or ml
Energy	< 5 Calories, meets “Calorie-free”	0 Calories
	< 5 Calories, all other cases	nearest 1 Calorie
	5 to 50 Calories	nearest 5 Calories
	> 50 Calories	nearest 10 Calories
Fat (core list) Total Fat Saturated Fat Trans Fat Saturates + Trans (% DV only)	“Free” declarations: Fat free: <0.5 g and meets “free of fat” Saturated free: <0.5 g and meets “sat free” Trans free: <0.5 g and meets “trans free”	0 g	0 %
	< 0.5 g, all other cases	nearest 0.1 g	nearest 1 %
	0.5 g to 5 g	nearest 0.5 g	nearest 1 %
	> 5 g	nearest 1 g	nearest 1 %
Cholesterol (% DV optional info.)	< 2 mg, meets “free of cholesterol”	0 mg	0 %
	all other cases	nearest 5 mg	nearest 1 %
Sodium	< 5 mg, meets “free of sodium or salt”	0 mg	0 %
	< 5 mg, all other cases	nearest 1 mg	nearest 1 %
	5 mg to 140 mg	nearest 5 mg	nearest 1 %
	> 140 mg	nearest 10 mg	nearest 1 %
Carbohydrate Carbohydrate Fibre Sugars (no % DV declaration)	< 0.5 g	0 g	0 %
	0.5 g	nearest 1 g	nearest 1 % (no %DV for sugars)
Protein	< 0.5 g	nearest 0.1 g
	0.5 g	nearest 1 g
Amount Vitamins and Minerals Vitamin A Vitamin C Calcium Iron	< 1 % DV per serving and reference amount		0 %
	1 % to <2 %		2 %
	2 % to 10 %		nearest 2 %
	> 10 % to 50 %		nearest 5 %
	> 50 %		nearest 10 %

mg = milligram

Table C2: Additional Nutrient Information – Rounding
(Column 4 of the table to B.01.402)

Information	Quantity	Rounding Metric Unit	Rounding % DV
Servings per container	< 2 servings or > 5	servings multiple of 1
	2 to 5	servings multiple of 0.5
Energy		0 Calories
Calories from Fat	For Calories from fat: < 5 Calories and fat declared as 0 g
Calories from Saturates + Trans	For Calories from Saturates + Trans: < 5 Calories and Saturates + Trans declared as 0 g
	< 5 Calories, all other cases	nearest 1 Calorie
	5 to 50 Calories	nearest 5 Calories
	> 50 Calories	nearest 10 Calories
Kilojoules (optional unit)	all cases	nearest 10 kilojoules
Fat (additional info.) polyunsaturates omega-6 omega-3 monounsaturates	< 1 g	nearest 0.1 g
	1 g to 5 g	nearest 0.5 g
	> 5 g	nearest 1 g
Potassium	< 5 mg, < 5 mg/serving and ref. amt.	0 mg	0 %
	< 5 mg, all other cases	nearest 1 mg	nearest 1 %
	5 mg to 140 mg	nearest 5 mg	nearest 1 %
	> 140 mg	nearest 10 mg	nearest 1 %
Carbohydrate Soluble Fibre Insoluble Fibre Sugar Alcohol Starch	< 0.5 g	0 g
	0.5 g	nearest 1 g
Amount Vitamins and Minerals	< 1% DV per serving and reference amt.		0 %
	1% - <2%		2 %
	2 % to 10 %		nearest 2 %
	> 10% to 50%		nearest 5 %
	> 50%		nearest 10 %

mg = milligram

Reference Tables (Daily Values, Alternate Expressions)

Table C3: Mandatory Nutrient Information: Core List
[B.01.401]

Information	Alternative Expressions (Column 2, table to B.01.401)	Daily Value (= Reference Standards B.01.001.1)
“Serving Size (naming the size)”	“Serving (naming the serving size)” “Per (naming the serving size)”
“Calories”	“Total Calories” “Calories, Total”
“Fat”	“Total Fat” “Fat, Total”	65 g
“Saturated Fat”	“Saturated Fatty Acids” “Saturated” “Saturates”
“Trans Fat”	“Trans Fatty Acids” “Trans”
“Saturated Fat + Trans Fat”	“Saturated Fatty Acids + Trans Fatty Acids” “Saturated + Trans” “Saturates + Trans”	20 g
“Cholesterol”		300 mg
“Sodium”		2400 mg
“Carbohydrate”	“Total Carbohydrate” “Carbohydrate, Total”	300 g
“Fibre”	“Fiber” “Dietary Fibre” “Dietary Fiber”	25 g
“Sugars”
“Protein”
Vitamins and Minerals
		Daily Value (= Recommended Daily Intakes, Tables to Divisions 1 & 2, Part D
		2 yrs	< 2 yrs
“Vitamin A”	“Vit A”	1000 RE	400 RE
“Vitamin C”	“Vit C”	60 mg	20 mg
“Calcium”		1100 mg	500 mg
“Iron”		14 mg	7 mg

Table C4: Additional Information with a Daily Value that is a Reference Amount

g = gram; mg = milligram; µg = microgram; RE = Retinol Equivalent

Table C5: Additional Information
[B.01.402]

Table C6: Additional Vitamin and Mineral Nutrients
[B.01.402]

Notes:

1. All additional nutrients: must be declared in the Nutrition Facts table if any representation (any mention, reference, indication, statement, claim, etc.) regarding the nutrient is on the label, including the ingredient list, or in any advertisement made or placed by the manufacturer of the product (does not include the declaration of food additives in the list of ingredients e.g., calcium chloride) [B.01.402(4)]
2. Any vitamin or mineral (except for iodide in salt or fluoride in prepackaged water and ice) must be declared in the nutrition facts table when added to the product. [B.01.402(6)]
3. Any vitamin or mineral nutrient declared as a component of one of the ingredients (except flour) of a prepackaged product [B.01.402(7)] must be declared in the Nutrition Facts table.

Information	Alternative Expressions (Column 2, Table to B.01.402)	Daily Value ( =Recommended Daily Intake)*
		2 yrs	< 2 yrs
“Vitamin D”	“Vit D”	5 µg	10 µg
“Vitamin E”	“Vit E”	10 mg	3 mg
“Vitamin K”	“Vit K”	80 µg	30 µg
“Thiamine”	“Thiamin” “Thiamine (Vitamin B1)” “Thiamine (Vit B1)” “Thiamin (Vitamin B1)” “Thiamin (Vit B1)”	1.3 mg	0.45 mg
“Riboflavin”	“Riboflavin (Vitamin B2)” “Riboflavin (Vit B2)”	1.6 mg	0.55 mg
“Niacin”		23 NE	8 NE
“Vitamin B6”	“Vit B6”	1.8 mg	0.7 mg
“Folate”		220 µg	65 µg
“Vitamin B12”	“Vit B12”	2 µg	0.3 µg
“Biotin”		30 µg	8 µg
“Pantothenic Acid”	“Pantothenate”	7 mg	2 mg
“Phosphorus”		1100 mg	500 mg
“Iodide”	“Iodine”	160 µg	55 µg
“Magnesium”		250 mg	55 mg
“Zinc”		9 mg	4 mg
“Selenium”		50 µg	15 µg
“Copper”		2 mg	0.5 mg
“Manganese”		2 mg	1.2 mg
“Chromium”		120 µg	12 µg
“Molybdenum”		75 µg	15 µg
“Chloride"		3400 mg	1000 mg

mg = milligram; µg = microgram; NE = Niacin Equivalents

French Reference Tables (Daily Values, Alternate Expressions)

Tableau C3 : Renseignements obligatoires sur les éléments nutritifs : Liste des éléments de base
[B.01.401]

Information	Autres expressions (colonne 2, tableau suivant B.01.401)	Valeur quotidienne (= quantité de référence B.01.001.1)
« Portion déterminée (mention de la taille) »	« Portion ( portion déterminée) », « Pour ou Par (portion déterminée) »
« Calories »	« Calories totales »
« Lipides »	« Total des lipides»	65 g
« Acides gras saturés »	« Lipides saturés » « Saturés »
« Acides gras trans »	« Lipides trans » « trans »
« Acides gras saturés + acides gras trans »	« Lipides saturés +lipides trans » « Saturés + trans »	20 g
« Cholestérol »		300 mg
« Sodium »		2400 mg
« Glucides »	« Total des glucides »	300 g
« Fibres »	« Fibres alimentaires »	25 g
« Sucres »
« Protéines »
Vitamines et minéraux nutritifs
		Valeur quotidienne (= apport quotidien recommandés, Tableaux des sections 1 et 2, de la partie D)
		2 ans	< 2 ans
« Vitamine A »	« Vit A »	1000 ER	400 ER
« Vitamine C »	« Vit C »	60 mg	20 mg
« Calcium »		1100 mg	500 mg
« Fer »		14 mg	7 mg

Tableau C4 : Renseignements complémentaires - lorsque la valeur quotidienne est également une quantité de référence

g = gramme; mg = milligramme; µg = microgramme; ER = équivalents rétinol

Tableau C5 : Renseignements complémentaires
[B.01.402]

Tableau C6: Vitamines et minéraux nutritifs ajoutés
[B.01.402]

Nota:

1. Tous les éléments nutritifs complémentaires: doivent être mentionnés s’ils ont fait l’objet d’une déclaration (toute mention, référence, indication, allégation, etc.) sur l’étiquette, quel que soit l'endroit, ou dans une annonce, faite par le fabricant du produit ou sous ses ordres (n’inclut pas la déclaration des additifs alimentaires dans la liste des ingrédients, par exemple le chlorure de calcium) [B.01.402(4)].
2. Toute vitamine ou tout minéral nutritif (sauf l'iode dans le sel ou le fluorure dans l'eau et la glace préemballées) qui est ajouté au produit. [B.01.402(6)]
3. Toute vitamine ou tout minéral nutritif, mentionné comme composante d'un des ingrédients (sauf la farine) d'un produit préemballé [B.01.402(7)], doit être mentionné dans le tableau de la valeur nutritive.

Information	Autres expressions (colonne 2, jusqu’à B.01.402)	Valeur quotidienne ( = apport quotidien recommandé)*
		2 ans	< 2 ans
« Vitamine D »	« Vit D »	5 µg	10 µg
« Vitamine E »	« Vit E »	10 µg	3 µg
« Vitamine K »	« Vit K »	80 µg	30 µg
« Thiamine »	« Thiamine (Vitamine B1) » « Thiamine (Vit B1) »	1,3 mg	0,45 mg
« Riboflavine »	« Riboflavine (Vitamine B2) » « Riboflavine (Vit B2) »	1,6 mg	0,55 mg
« Niacine »		23 EN	8 EN
« Vitamine B6 »	« Vit B6 »	1,8 mg	0,7 mg
« Folate »		220 µg	65 µg
« Vitamine B12 »	« Vit B12 »	2 µg	0,3 µg
« Biotine »		30 µg	8 µg
« Pantothénate »	« Acide pantothénique »	7 mg	2 mg
« Phosphore »		1100 mg	500 mg
« Iodure »	« Iode »	160 µg	55 µg
« Magnésium »		250 mg	55 mg
« Zinc »		9 mg	4 mg
« Sélénium »		50 µg	15 µg
« Cuivre »		2 mg	0,5 mg
« Manganèse »		2 mg	1,2 mg
« Chrome »		120 µg	12 µg
« Molybdène »		75 µg	15 µg
« Chlorure »		3400 mg	1000 mg

mg = milligramme; µg = microgramme; EN = équivalents niacine