Food Labelling

Labelling on food helps Canadians make healthy and informed choices about the foods they buy and eat.

Helping you make healthy choices

Through the Food and Drugs Act, Health Canada regulates the labelling of food products in Canada. Regulations published on January 1, 2003:

• Make nutrition labelling mandatory on most food labels.
• Update requirements for nutrient content claims.
• Permit, for the first time in Canada, diet-related health claims for foods.

To further support informed consumer choice, Health Canada is undertaking consultations on a modernized framework for the management of health claims.

Helping you eat well

Nutrition labelling regulations and public education on how to use the Nutrition Facts table are significant supports to improved public health in Canada. If you want to learn more, the Nutrition Labelling section provides practical tools for consumers and educators.

Helping you eat with confidence

Health Canada is also proposing to introduce regulations to enhance the labelling of priority allergens in foods. By regulating the labelling of foods that might contain ingredients that can induce dangerous allergic reactions (like peanuts, milk and eggs), the department intends to make it easier for Canadians to eat safely and with confidence.

What Information is Available?

This section is for all Canadians who want to learn more about food labelling and nutrition.

• Consulting Canadians to Modernize and Improve Food Labels: What We Heard

Other Sections of Interest

• Labelling of Unpasteurized Juices