Canadian Food Labelling Requirements: A Guide for Manufacturers and Importers

 

In order to ensure consumers make informed choices about the foods they purchase and eat, bilingual food labels in Canada need to be compliant with the requirements set out by Health Canada. Food manufacturers or distributors are responsible to ensure all food products are in accordance with Canadian food labelling requirements.

 

Food products requiring labelling

1. Prepackaged Foods

Prepackaged foods are foods packaged in a container for typical sale or use by consumers. In Canada, while most prepackaged foods must be labeled, not all of them are required to have a label. The following are prepackaged foods that are exempt from Health Canada’s food label obligations:

• Fresh fruits or fresh vegetables bound in a wrapper, or confining band, of <13 mm (1/2”) in width.
• Fresh fruits or fresh vegetables that are in a transparent, protective wrapper or bag where no information is shown (other than a price/bar code/ number code/ environment statement/product treatment symbol)
• One-bite confections (sold individually). If more than one individual one-bite confection is sold together in the same package, the product is not considered to be a one-bite confection. Interestingly, lollipop products are not classified as one-bite confections since the stick enables them to be eaten in multiple bites.

 

1. Non-prepackaged Foods

Most food labelling requirements only apply to prepackaged foods but there are certain non-prepackaged foods that require labelling when sold in Canada. The following are non-prepackaged foods that require a label:

• Meat and meat by products (barbequed, roasted or broiled at retail establishment)
• Poultry, poultry meat or poultry meat by-products (barbequed, roasted or broiled at retail establishment)
• Horse meat or horse meat by-product
• Food additives or food additive preparation
• Irradiated foods (permitted to be irradiated but not prepackaged)

 

Depending on the type of prepackaged food, there are associated labelling requirements. For example, meat, poultry, poultry meat and their by-products that are barbequed, roasted or broiled at retail establishments need to indicate on the front panel of the label a statement to the effect that the food must be stored at a temperature of 40°F (4.4°C) or lower, or 140°F (60°C) or higher.

Non-prepackaged meat products traded interprovincially or internationally must also include the following on their label:

• Inspection legend or official inspection mark of foreign state
• Common name
• Name and principal place of business
• Net quantity
• Storage instructions (if applicable)
• Ingredients list
• Country of origin

 

Fundamental labelling elements  

Only once a label is required do other labelling requirements apply such as:

1. Common name: Labels should demonstrate the name or description of the food so it is easier for consumers to identify.
2. List of ingredients: All products containing more than one ingredient must be disclosed in descending order by weight. For food additives, the common and scientific names must also be listed.
3. Allergen labelling: In Canada, the 12 allergens that must be declared in ingredient lists or separate statements include peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, milk, eggs, soy, wheat and triticale, crustaceans and molluscs, mustard, fish, sulphites, and gluten.
4. Nutrition labelling: The nutrition facts table presents detailed nutrient information for various foods, including serving sizes, calories, fats, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. Its design features clear organization, appropriate sizing, spacing, and effective use of bold or capital letters for enhanced readability.
5. Date markings and storage instructions: The Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) mandate that products with a shelf life of 90 days or less include a “best before” date and storage instructions. The “best before” date indicates the period of optimal quality, but the food may still be safe to consume afterward. Storage instructions guide consumers on proper food storage.
6. Net quantity: The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) requires that food labels must declare the net weight or volume of the item. This enables consumers to compare the sizes and prices of different products.
7. Identity and principal place of business: Most prepackaged foods that require a label must declare the name and principal place of business of the person who has manufactured, prepared, produced, stored, packaged or labelled the food, or of the person for whom the food has been manufactured, prepared, produced, stored, packaged or labelled. For certain food products, they are subject to traceability-specific labelling requirements which may require that the product list the name and principal address of business.
8. Country of origin: Fresh fruits, vegetables, honey, and fish usually need to display this information. Additionally, foods imported from the U.S. to Canada must also include the country of origin on its label.

 

Certain food products may be exempt from declaring one or more of the core labelling elements.  For instance, fresh fruits, that are prepackaged at retail and are visibly identifiable, are exempt from declaring a common name as well as the name and principal place of business on the label.

 

Bilingual requirements for Canadian food labels

In order to sell a food product in Canada, the required text on the label must be in English and French. However, certain label elements can be labelled in one official language such as:

• Trademarked information such as the product name or registered slogan
• Name and principal place of business
• Common name of specific alcoholic beverages

 

In general, the labels of specialty foods, local foods, and test market foods may be in one official language, provided they meet certain definitions and specific conditions outlined in the regulations.

 

Normally, non-mandatory information on labels and advertisements, like recipes on the label, is not required to be bilingual at the federal level. However, manufacturers and importers are encouraged to provide this information in both official languages. According to the Québec Charter of the French Language, every inscription on a product must be drafted in French, and no other language can be given greater prominence. Although it is not required to translate at the federal level, it is required for products sold in Quebec.

 

In addition, certain voluntary information on labels and advertisements must be displayed bilingually due to additional regulatory requirements. This includes:

1. Organic claims: If a product is labeled as “organic,” it must also include “biologique” in French.
2. Nutrient content claims: For example, if a product states, “10 g Fat per 1 bowl,” it must also say “10 g de lipides pour 1 bol” in French.
3. Additional nutritional information: Any optional nutrients listed in the Nutrition Facts table, like “Sugar Alcohols,” must be labeled in both languages.
4. Health claims: Claims such as “Does not promote tooth decay” must also appear as “Ne favorise pas la carie dentaire” in French.

 

Upcoming nutrition labelling requirement

By January 1, 2026, Canadian food labelling requirements will mandate a front-of-pack nutrition symbol for products with 15% or more of the daily value (DV) for saturated fat, sugar, or sodium. This requirement will significantly affect product shelf appeal and consumer perception. Brands aiming to enter or grow in the Canadian market must understand and properly apply this new symbol. It is important to stay up to date on label requirements, as they are subject to periodic changes that may affect your food product label.

 

Contact Nexreg today for assistance with Canadian Food Labelling.