Contributions of Canadian Food Inspection Agency
and Health Canada officers and other experts
who provided input to this document
are gratefully acknowledged.
Persons using this information agree to save harmless Her Majesty in right
of Canada and all her representatives against any claim resulting from its
use.
All companies are now required to follow the current nutrition labelling
guidelines unless they qualify for the small manufacturer exemption, meaning
revenue from food sales in Canada of less than $1 million, in the year prior to
December 12, 2002. Small manufacturers can follow the old guidelines
until December 12. 2007.
Preface |
Amendments
|
Guiding Principles
for the Federal Food Labelling and Advertising System |
Guiding Principles
for Labelling and Advertising by the Canadian Food and Beverage
Industry |
Chapter 1 |
Introduction |
1.1 |
Reason for the 2003
Guide |
1.2 |
Legislative Framework: Key Acts and
Regulations |
1.3 |
Other Relevant Federal
Legislation |
1.4 |
Purpose of Food Labelling |
1.5 |
Food Advertising
Responsibilities |
1.6 |
Sources of Additional Information on
Labelling and Claims |
Chapter 2 |
Basic Labelling
Requirements |
2.1 |
Definitions |
2.2 |
General Labelling Requirements |
2.3 |
Foods Requiring a Label |
2.4 |
Bilingual Requirements |
2.5 |
Common Name |
2.6 |
Net Quantity |
2.7 |
Name and Address |
2.8 |
List of Ingredients |
2.9 |
Nutrition Facts Table |
2.10 |
Artificial Flavours |
2.11 |
Durable Life Date |
2.12 |
Previously Frozen |
2.13 |
Standard Container Sizes |
2.14 |
Other Mandatory Information |
2.15 |
Labels of Shipping
Containers |
2.16 |
Test Market Foods |
2.17 |
Temporary Marketing Authorization
Letter |
2.18 |
Interim Marketing
Authorization |
Annex 2-1 |
Mandatory Common Names of Ingredients
and Components |
Annex 2-2 |
Class Names for Ingredients |
Annex 2-3 |
Ingredients Exempt from Component
Declaration |
Annex 2-4 |
Component Declarations |
Chapter 3 |
Advertising
Requirements |
3.1 |
General Principles |
3.2 |
Common Names |
3.3 |
Impressions |
3.4 |
Avoiding Misleading
Description |
3.5 |
Supporting References |
3.6 |
Endorsements, Awards and Seals of
Approval |
3.7 |
Using Comparisons Carefully |
3.8 |
Appropriated or Inferred
Claims |
3.9 |
Language Requirements |
3.10 |
Net Contents |
3.11 |
Labels in Advertisements |
3.12 |
Advertisements for Bulk Beef, Veal,
Pork and Lamb |
3.13 |
Educational Advertising |
3.14 |
Broadcast Advertising |
Chapter 4 |
Composition, Quality, Quantity
and Origin Claims |
4.1 |
General Impressions |
4.2 |
Composition and Quality - Names of
Foods |
4.3 |
Negative Claims Pertaining to the
Absence or Non-Addition of a Substance |
4.4 |
Guarantees |
4.5 |
Fresh |
4.6 |
Homemade |
4.7 |
Nature, Natural |
4.8 |
Organic |
4.9 |
Novel Foods Produced Through Genetic
Modification |
4.10 |
Pure, 100% Pure, 100%, All |
4.11 |
Entirely, Completely,
Absolutely |
4.12 |
True, Real, Genuine |
4.13 |
Imitations, Substitutes |
4.14 |
Concentrated, Concentrate, Condensed,
Strength, Reconstituted |
4.15 |
Claims Regarding Grades |
4.16 |
Kosher Foods |
4.17 |
Meals, Meal Replacements, Instant
Breakfast |
4.18 |
Quantity: Net Contents |
4.19 |
Imported, Product of Canada, Made in
Canada, Country of Origin |
Chapter 5 |
Nutrition Labelling |
5.1 |
Purpose of the New Nutrition Labelling
Regulations |
5.2 |
Transitional Period |
5.3 |
Exemptions |
5.4 |
Information in the Nutrition Facts
Table |
5.5 |
Displaying the Nutrition Facts
Table |
5.6 |
Formats for the Nutrition Facts
Table |
5.7 |
Compendium of Templates for Nutrition
Facts Tables |
5.8 |
Step-by-Step Guide to Using the
Formats |
5.9 |
Format Hierarchy Summary |
5.10 |
Small Packages |
5.11 |
Tags |
5.12 |
Ornamental Containers |
5.13 |
Foods Sold Only in the Retail
Establishment Where Packaged |
5.14 |
Foods for Commercial or Industrial
Enterprises or Institutions |
5.15 |
Foods for Use in Manufacturing Other
Foods |
5.16 |
Foods Intended Solely for Children
Under Two Years of Age |
5.17 |
Nutrition Facts Information from
Another Country |
5.18 |
Other Languages in the Nutrition
Facts Table |
Chapter 6 |
The Elements Within the
Nutrition Facts Table |
6.1 |
Presentation of Information Within the
Table |
6.2 |
Reference Amounts and Serving
Size |
6.3 |
Daily Intake |
6.4 |
Energy |
6.5 |
Fat and Fatty Acids: Saturates,
Trans, Polyunsaturates, Omega-6 Polyunsaturates, Omega-3
Polyunsaturates, Monounsaturates |
6.6 |
Sodium |
6.7 |
Potassium |
6.8 |
Carbohydrates |
6.9 |
Protein |
6.10 |
Vitamins and Mineral
Nutrients |
6.11 |
Compliance Test to Assess the
Accuracy of Nutrient Values |
Chapter 7 |
Nutrient Content
Claims |
7.1 |
Introduction |
7.2 |
Transition Period |
7.3 |
Permitted Nutrient Content
References |
7.4 |
Quantitative Declarations Outside the
Nutrition Facts Table |
7.5 |
Making Nutrient Content Claims: General
Requirements |
7.6 |
Altering the Wording of Permitted
Nutrient Content Claims |
7.7 |
Nutrient Content Claims for Vitamins
and Minerals: General Requirements |
7.8 |
Nutrient Content Claims on Foods
Exempted or Prohibited from Showing a Nutrition Facts Table |
7.9 |
Comparative Claims |
7.10 |
"Light" Claims |
7.11 |
Advertising Requirements for Nutrient
Content Claims |
7.12 |
Nutrient Content Claims Made in
Restaurants |
7.13 |
How to Use the Claims Tables |
7.14 |
Energy and Calorie Claims |
7.15 |
Protein Claims |
7.16 |
Fat Claims |
7.17 |
Saturated Fatty Acid Claims |
7.18 |
Trans Fatty Acid
Claims |
7.19 |
Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated
Fatty Acid Claims |
7.20 |
Cholesterol Claims |
7.21 |
Sodium (Salt) Claims |
7.22 |
Potassium Claims |
7.23 |
Carbohydrate and Sugars
Claims |
7.24 |
Dietary Fibre Claims |
7.25 |
Vitamin and Mineral Nutrient
Claims |
Annex 7-1 |
Foods to Which Vitamins, Mineral
Nutrients and Amino Acids May or Must be Added |
Annex 7-2 |
Decision Tree for Advertising
Requirements, Nutrient Content Claims |
Chapter 8 |
Diet-Related Health Claims |
81 |
Drugs Versus Foods:
Definitions |
8.2 |
Drug Claims |
8.3 |
General Requirements for Diet-Related
Health Claims and Biological Role Claims |
8.4 |
Diet-Related Health Claims |
8.5 |
Biological Role Claims |
8.6 |
Testimonials and Guarantees Regarding
Vitamin and Mineral Nutrients |
8.7 |
Other Information About Diet and
Disease |
8.8 |
Some Examples of Non-Permitted Drug
Claims for Foods |
8.9 |
Obesity, Weight Loss, Weight Reduction
and Maintenance |
8.10 |
Educational Material Versus
Advertising Material |
8.11 |
Third-Party Endorsements, Logos and
Seals of Approval |
8.12 |
Heart Symbols and Heart Health
Claims |
8.13 |
Eating Well with Canada's Food
Guide and Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: A Resource for Educators
and Communicators |
8.14 |
References |
Annex 8-1 |
Schedule A Diseases from the Food and
Drugs Act |
Annex 8-2 |
Policy Respecting the Use of Heart
Symbols and Heart Health Claims on Food Labels and in Food
Advertisements |
Annex 8-3 |
Eating Well with Canada's Food
Guide |
Annex 8-4 |
References |
Chapter 9 |
Supplementary Information on
Specific Products |
9.1 |
Pre-packaged Meal Definition |
9.2 |
Sweeteners and Sweetening
Agents |
9.3 |
Chocolate and Cocoa Products |
9.4 |
Dairy Products: Milk and Milk
Products |
9.5 |
Fats and Oils |
9.6 |
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables |
9.7 |
Mineral Water, Spring Water and
Bottled Water |
9.8 |
Grain and Bakery Products |
9.9 |
Foods for Special Dietary Use |
9.10 |
Infant Foods and Infant
Formulas |
9.11 |
Beverages for Athletes,
Isotonic |
Chapter 10 |
Guide to the Labelling of
Alcoholic Beverages |
10.1 |
Alcoholic Beverages |
10.2 |
Common Name |
10.3 |
Net Quantity Declaration |
10.4 |
Standardized Container Sizes |
10.5 |
Alcohol by Volume
Declaration |
10.6 |
Name and Address of Dealer |
10.7 |
Origin Claims |
10.8 |
List of Ingredients |
10.9 |
Durable Life Date |
10.10 |
Vignettes |
10.11 |
Age Claims |
10.12 |
Nutrition Labelling |
10.13 |
Dry |
10.14 |
Light |
10.15 |
Addresses of Provincial and
Territorial Liquor Boards |
Chapter 11 |
Labelling Guide for Processed
Fruits and Vegetables |
Introduction |
11.1 |
Common Name |
11.2 |
Net Quantity Declaration |
11.3 |
Grade |
11.4 |
Size Grade |
11.5 |
Name and Address |
11.6 |
Country of Origin |
11.7 |
Registration Number |
11.8 |
Production Code |
11.9 |
List of Ingredients |
11.10 |
Nutrition Labelling |
11.11 |
Nutrient Content Claims and
Diet-Related Health Claims |
11.12 |
Special Label Wording |
11.13 |
Shipping Containers |
11.14 |
Registration or Approval of
Labels |
Chapter 12 |
Guide to the Labelling of
Honey |
12.1 |
Common Name |
12.2 |
Net Quantity Declaration |
12.3 |
Honey: Grade |
12.4 |
Honey: Colour |
12.5 |
Other Required Markings |
12.6 |
Name and Address |
12.7 |
Country of Origin |
12.8 |
List of Ingredients |
12.9 |
Nutrition Labelling |
12.10 |
Nutrient Content Claims |
12.11 |
Exemptions for Products for
Export |
12.12 |
Labelling Requirements for Packages
and Bulk Containers of Honey (subject to the Honey Regulations) |
Chapter 13 |
Guide to the Labelling of
Maple Products |
Import and Interprovincial Trade |
13.1 |
Common Name |
13.2 |
Net Quantity Declaration |
13.3 |
Maple Syrup Grade |
13.4 |
Maple Syrup Colour |
13.5 |
Name and Address |
13.6 |
Registration Number |
13.7 |
Country of Origin |
13.8 |
Standard Container Sizes for Maple
Syrup and Maple Sugar |
13.9 |
Nutrition Labelling |
13.10 |
Nutrient Content Claims and Diet
Related Health Claims |
13.11 |
Labelling of Shipping Containers and
Bulk Containers |
13.12 |
Export |
13.13 |
Substitutes |
13.14 |
Exemptions for Non-Commercial
Shipments |
13.15 |
Information on the Absence or
Non-Addition of Non-Permitted Ingredients or Chemicals |
13.16 |
Maple Syrup with Nutrients
Added |
Chapter 14 |
Meat and Poultry
Products |
14.1 |
Simulated Meat and Simulated Poultry
Products |
14.2 |
Meat and Poultry Product
Extenders |
14.3 |
Extended Meat and Poultry
Products |
14.4 |
Meat Products and Poultry Meat
Products that Contain Phosphate Salts and/or Water |
14.5 |
Compliance Policy for Protein
Standards of Meat and Poultry Products Containing Phosphate Salts and / or
Water |
Chapter 15 |
Fish and Fish
Products |
15.1 |
Fish Labelling Reference
Documents |
15.2 |
Common Name |
15.3 |
Net Quantity |
15.4 |
Grade, Size, Class, Count, Moisture
Content |
15.5 |
Quality Designations |
15.6 |
Country of Origin |
15.7 |
Use of the "Canada
Inspected" logo |
15.8 |
Molluscan Shellfish |
15.9 |
Other Mandatory Information |
15.10 |
Code Markings |
15.11 |
Nutrition Labelling |
15.12 |
Nutrient Content Claims and
Diet-Related Health Claims |
15.13 |
Labels on Shipping
Containers |
Glossary |