List of Ingredients

This information is part of the core labelling requirements. Other requirements may also apply for specific products.

Ingredient means an individual unit of food that is combined as an individual unit of food with one or more individual units of food to form an integral unit of food that is sold as a prepackaged product Food and Drug Regulations [B.01.001].

Component means an individual unit of food that is combined as an individual unit of food with one or more other individual units of food to form an ingredient [B.01.001].

Unless exempted, prepackaged multi-ingredient foods require an ingredient list.

In general, ingredients must be listed in descending order of proportion by weight, as determined before they are combined to make the food. The exceptions are spices, seasonings and herbs (except salt), natural and artificial flavours, flavour enhancers, food additives, and vitamin and mineral nutrients and their derivatives or salts, which may be shown at the end of the ingredient list in any order. The ingredient list must be shown in both English and French unless otherwise exempted by the Food and Drug Regulations [B.01.012].

Ingredients and their components (ingredients of ingredients) must be declared by their common names in the list of ingredients on a food label. [B.01.010] Components can be declared either in parentheses following the ingredient name in descending order of proportion by weight in the ingredient; or in descending order of proportion by weight in the finished food as if they were ingredients, without listing the ingredient itself.

Information related to this subject

• Ingredient Common Name
  • Mandatory Common Names of Ingredients and Components
  • Class Names for Ingredients
  • Iron - Common Name in Ingredient List
• Component Declarations in the Ingredients List
  • Ingredients Exempt from Component Declaration
  • Preparations Exempt from a Component Declaration
  • Components of Preparations Which Must ALWAYS Be Declared
  • Components of Foods which Must ALWAYS Be Declared
• Declaration of Processing Aids in the Ingredients List
• Allergens in List of Ingredients
• Two Separate Ingredients Lists
• Brand names in ingredient list
• Additional Descriptive Information in Ingredient Lists
• Shortening as an Ingredient
• Unhydrogenated Vegetable Oil in the Ingredient List
• Flavour Enhancer Preparations – Components
• Vitamin C and Ascorbic Acid in the List of Ingredients
• Vitamin Names
• Simplesse