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Canadian Food Inspection Agency Section VI: Nutrient Content Claims
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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 |
Energy must be expressed in both Calories (Cal) and kilojoules (kJ) per serving of stated size (B.01.301), using the following conversions:
1 Calorie = 1 Cal = 1 kilocalorie = 4.184 kilojoules = 4.184 kJ
Calories should be rounded to the nearest whole number. Kilojoules should be rounded to the nearest 10 kJ for energy values of 10 kJ or more, and to the nearest kJ for energy values below 10 kJ.
Foods provide energy to the body. The carbohydrate, fat, protein and alcohol in foods, when absorbed and utilized, provide energy for all body processes and muscle movement.
When a muscle contracts, it uses stored energy. After contraction the body replaces this energy so the muscle can contract again. Consuming a diet high in Calories does not assure that an individual will have lots of "pep" and "energy", since many factors, including the state of a person's health and physical fitness, have a major impact on how effectively and efficiently the muscles can use energy. Therefore, the popular concept of "energy" in the sense of being energetic, having pep, vigour, strength, endurance, etc., are not directly related to specific foods in the diet. For this reason, claims for the energy content of foods must be carefully phrased.
If used appropriately, the terms "energy", "food energy" and "quick food energy" are acceptable. Energy claims such as "helps provide food energy", "helps provide energy", "helps give a lift", "for people on the go", "helps give you go" or a simple declaration of the amount of Calories or kilojoules contributed by a stated serving of food or per 100 g or 100 ml of food, are acceptable and not misleading if the claims DO NOT imply that:
A claim to the effect that a food is "a source of energy" should not be made unless the food provides at least 100 Calories per serving of stated size.
The following table provides a summary of the Regulations and guidelines pertaining to energy claims (see also Sections 6.1, 6.3 and 6.4).
Claim |
Compositional Requirements |
Information Required on Label and Advertisement*: |
a. "calorie-reduced" | Only for foods for special dietary use and must: - be greater than or equal to 50% reduced in Calories compared to the same food not calorie-reduced. (B.24.006) |
The label must state: - "calorie-reduced" on the principal display panel in close proximity to, and in the same type size as, the common name; - core list (energy - in Cal and kJ/serving; protein, fat, carbohydrate - in g/serving). The advertisement AND the label must state: |
b. "low-calorie" "low in energy" "light in Calories" "lite in Calories" "light in energy" "lite in energy" |
Only for foods for special dietary use and must: - be
greater than or equal to 50% reduced in Calories compared to the same food not
calorie-reduced; and and |
The label must state: - "low-calorie" on the principal display panel in close proximity to, and in the same type size as, the common name; (B.24.012) - core list (energy - in Cal and kJ/serving; protein, fat, carbohydrate - in g/serving). The
advertisement AND the label must state: |
c. "(%, fraction or quantity) less (or fewer)
Calories than (naming the reference food)" "lower in Calories than (naming the reference food)" "less (or fewer) Calories than (naming the reference food)" |
Compared to the reference food it must have: - greater than or equal to 25% less energy; and |
Calories and kilojoules per serving, preceded by the word
"energy" (B.01.301) and |
d. "calorie free" | - less than or equal to 1 Cal/100 g of food. | Calories and kilojoules per serving, preceded by the word "energy". (B.01.301) |
e. "light" "lite" "light (naming the common or brand name)" "lite (naming the common or brand name)" |
In general these claims cannot be used without further
qualification. The food must meet the composition requirements of: - a calorie-reduced food as described in a); or or |
Must meet the corresponding label and advertising
requirements of a), b) or c), EXCEPT in an advertisement these claims may
be used without further qualification provided that: - all required information is on the label; and |
f. "source of energy" | - greater than or equal to 100 Cal/serving. | Calories or kilojoules per serving preceded by the word "energy". (B.01.301) |
g. "light" dinner; "lite" dinner; "light" meal; "lite" meal |
- must be less than or equal to 300 Cal; and and |
Calories and kilojoules per serving preceded by the word
"energy". (B.01.301) and or |
* 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.
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