Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising

Acknowledgement

Notice for Upcoming Updates

Based on the results of a 2010 web questionnaire, the CFIA is revising and consolidating its food labelling and advertising web pages to make them more user-friendly and comprehensive.

The topics of the first three consolidated web pages are:

• Bilingual Labelling
• Date Markings
• Legibility and Location of Labelling Information

As part of the consolidation process, you will begin to notice that information is being moved from some sections of our website to other locations. Information on new consolidated web pages will continue to be posted on the Updates to Food Labelling and Advertising Information page.

Contributions of Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada officers and other experts who provided input to this document are gratefully acknowledged.

Information found in the Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising is provided free of charge to the public. It may be reused or reproduced provided that it is:

• accurately reproduced;
• accompanied by the date of issue, or in the case of an amended section, the date of the most recent amendment appearing at the bottom of the page; and
• the source is credited.

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.

Table of Contents

• Chapter 1
  • Introduction
  • 1.1 Reason for the 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 Product of Canada, Made in Canada
  • 4.20 Imported
• Chapter 5
  • Nutrition Labelling
  • 5.1 Purpose of the 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
  • Health Claims
  • 8.1 Introduction
  • 8.2 General Principles for Health Claims
  • 8.3 Food, Drugs, Natural Health Products and Claims
  • 8.4 Disease Risk Reduction Claims
  • 8.5 Function Claims
  • 8.6 Nutrient Function Claims (Biological Role Claims)
  • 8.7 Probiotic Claims
  • 8.8 Testimonials and Guarantees Regarding Vitamin and Mineral Nutrients
  • 8.9 Other Information About Diet and Disease
  • 8.10 Some Examples of Non-Permitted Drug Claims for Foods
  • 8.11 Obesity, Weight Loss, Weight Reduction and Maintenance
  • 8.12 Educational Material Versus Advertising Material
  • 8.13 Third-Party Endorsements, Logos and Seals of Approval
  • 8.14 Heart Symbols and Heart Health Claims
  • 8.15 Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: A Resource for Educators and Communicators
  • 8.16 References
  • Annex 8-1 Schedules 1 and 2 of the Natural Health Products Regulations
  • Annex 8-2 Schedule A Diseases from the Food and Drugs Act [Section 3]
  • Annex 8-3 Reference List for Probiotic Claims
  • Annex 8-4 Policy Respecting the Use of Heart Symbols and Heart Health Claims on Food Labels and in Food Advertisements
  • Annex 8-5 Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide
  • Annex 8-6 Reference List of Historical Documents
• 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
  • 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
  • Processed Fruits and Vegetables
  • 11.1 Common Name
  • 11.2 Net Quantity Declaration
  • 11.3 Grade
  • 11.4 Size Grading of Vegetables
  • 11.5 List of Ingredients
  • 11.6 Name and Address
  • 11.7 Country of Origin
  • 11.8 Registration Number
  • 11.9 Production Code
  • 11.10 Special Label Wording
  • 11.11 Nutrition Labelling
  • 11.12 Nutrient Content Claims and Health Claims
  • 11.14 Shipping Containers
  • Table 11-1 Regulated Products Found in the Processed Products Regulations (PPR)
  • Table 11-2 Mandatory Label Wording for Processed Products
  • Table 11-3 Summary of Labelling Requirements for Shipping Containers
• Chapter 12
  • 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
  • Labelling of Maple Products
  • 13.1 Common Name
  • 13.2 Net Quantity Declaration
  • 13.3 Grades for Maple Syrup
  • 13.4 Colour Classes of Maple Syrup
  • 13.5 Name and Address
  • 13.6 Registration Number
  • 13.7 Country of Origin
  • 13.8 List of Ingredients
  • 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 Maple Product Substitutes
  • 13.14 Exempitions for Non-Commercial Shipments
  • 13.15 Information on the Absence or Non-Addition of Non-Permitted Ingredients or Chemicals
  • 13.16 Maple Syrup with Nutrient 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 Disease Risk Reduction Claims
  • 15.13 Labels on Shipping Containers
• Glossary

Next page: Chapter 1