Front‑of‑Package Nutrition Symbols and Vitamin D

Summary#

These are the final Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Vitamin D and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils) (SOR/2022-168). They require a new front‑of‑package (FOP) nutrition symbol on many prepackaged foods that are high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium, and they change vitamin D levels and some labelling rules. The rules came into force on July 20, 2022 with a transition period that largely ends December 31, 2025 (first coordinated compliance date under Canada’s labelling policy is January 1, 2026).

What it does#

• Requires most prepackaged foods that are “high in” certain nutrients to carry a black‑and‑white front‑of‑package nutrition symbol on the principal display panel.
  • Thresholds that trigger the symbol are generally 15% of the daily value (DV) for a nutrient.
  • For foods with small reference amounts (≤ 30 g or 30 mL), the threshold is 10% DV.
  • For prepackaged “main dishes” with large reference amounts, the threshold is 30% DV.
• Sets detailed rules for the symbol’s design, language (English/French), size and exact location on the front of the package. It also builds in exemptions and special cases (for example very small packages and certain foods).
• Stops manufacturers from putting some nutrient content claims on the front of the package when a nutrition symbol for that same nutrient appears there. “Reduced in” claims are treated differently and are restricted in size.
• Moves the long table of permitted nutrient content statements and claims into an incorporated‑by‑reference document so the Minister can update it administratively.
• Changes vitamin D requirements:
  • Cow’s milk and many milk standards must contain 2 μg of vitamin D per 100 mL.
  • Margarine must contain 26 μg of vitamin D per 100 g.
• Removes references to partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs) from the Regulations and defines “fully hydrogenated,” aligning the Regulations with the existing PHO prohibition.
• Removes the extra front‑of‑package and numeric declaration rules that used to apply only to the sweeteners aspartame, sucralose, acesulfame‑potassium and neotame, but keeps and clarifies the mandatory phenylalanine warning for products containing aspartame.
• Allows a transition period so industry can change labels and use existing stock. The main transitional deadline is December 31, 2025.

Who's affected#

• Consumers: especially shoppers who want quicker, easier cues about foods high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium.
• Food manufacturers and packagers: companies that make or label prepackaged foods will need to add the symbol when products meet the thresholds, update labels for vitamin D, and follow new claim rules.
• Retailers, including those that print labels on retail scales, will need to adjust labelling practices (the rules include some flexibility for retail‑scale labels).
• Small businesses and market vendors: many have special exemptions or extra time, but some will still need to change labels.
• People with phenylketonuria (PKU) and advocacy groups: the phenylalanine warning for aspartame remains and its placement and format have been clarified.
• Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency will be responsible for guidance, monitoring and enforcement of the new rules.
• Indigenous and remote communities are specifically noted in the regulatory analysis as groups that may benefit from clearer front‑of‑package information and from increased vitamin D in some staple foods.

If it’s unclear whether a specific product must carry a symbol (for example a mixed food or a product with multiple exemptions), the label rules and the incorporated reference documents set the technical tests manufacturers must use.

Why it matters#

• The rule gives shoppers a simple, visible sign on the front of many packaged foods that are high in nutrients linked to chronic disease risk. That makes it easier to compare products at the shelf without hunting through the Nutrition Facts table.
• The symbol aims to help reduce excess consumption of saturated fat, sugars and sodium. Public‑health analysis suggests better labelling can change buying choices and can encourage reformulation by manufacturers.
• Adding vitamin D to milk and margarine (notably 2 μg/100 mL for milk and 26 μg/100 g for margarine) is intended to help more Canadians meet vitamin D targets that support bone health.
• Businesses must update labels (design, printing, ingredient statements). That has a one‑time cost and requires planning during the transition period, but small businesses get defined flexibilities and exemptions.
• The new approach standardizes which front‑of‑pack claims are allowed and gives Health Canada a faster way to update permitted nutrient claims through an incorporated table, rather than changing the Regulations each time.

If you want to see the full legal text or the technical symbol files, look up SOR/2022‑168 in the Canada Gazette, Part II or check Health Canada’s web pages for guidance and the Directory of Nutrition Symbol Specifications.