Notice of Health Canada's Proposal to Incorporate by Reference the “Nutrition Labelling - Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims” - Reference Number: [NOP/ADP-NCC-2018 -1]

February 10, 2018

Background

On October 24, 2016 the Minister of Health launched the Healthy Eating Strategy, which aims to help create a food environment that makes the healthier choice the easier choice for Canadians. A key commitment in the Healthy Eating Strategy is to improve nutrition information on food labels that consumers use to make informed and healthier food choices.

One type of nutrition information on food labels are nutrient content claims - voluntary statements or expressions which describe, directly or indirectly, the level of a nutrient in a food (e.g. "low in sodium"). The Food and Drug Regulations aim to ensure that nutrient content claims are used in a manner that is consistent, accurate and not misleading. The requirements for nutrient content claims are based on recognized health and scientific criteria.

As part of the Healthy Eating Strategy, on February 10, 2018, Health Canada pre-published the Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Partially Hydrogenated Oils and Vitamin D) in Part I of the Canada Gazette. These regulations propose, among other things, to repeal the table following section B.01.513 in the Food and Drug Regulations and replace it with an incorporated by reference document entitled Nutrition Labelling - Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims. They also update certain provisions related to nutrient content claims in the Food and Drug Regulations.

The information document outlines the rationale for the proposed changes along with the timeline for industry compliance.

Learn about Health Canada's approach to openness and transparency and how we handle stakeholder communication for healthy eating.

Information document

Notice of Proposal - Incorporating by Reference the "Nutrition Labelling - Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims".

Contact information

Health Canada is committed to reviewing any new information relating to this proposal. Anyone wishing to submit new information or to submit any enquiries may do so in writing, by regular mail, fax or electronically. To make representations concerning the proposed regulations pre-published on February 10, 2018 or to submit comments or information specific to the Nutrition Labelling - Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims, please submit your consolidated comments to the same contact information provided in the proposal. Health Canada is able to consider information received by April 26, 2018, 75 days from the date of this posting.

Email: LRM_MLR_consultations@hc-sc.gc.ca

Mail:
Bruno Rodrigue
(Attention: Canada Gazette, Part I, February 10, 2018)
Policy, Planning and International Affairs Directorate
Health Products and Food Branch
Health Canada
Holland Cross, Tower A, Suite 14, Ground Floor
1600 Scott Street
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0K9
Address locator: 3000A