More than ever before, consumers are paying more attention to the labels of the foods they are purchasing. Starting January 1, 2026, most prepackaged foods sold in Canada will be required to display a front-of-package (FOP) symbol that will help shoppers to identify products that meet or exceed thresholds for saturated fats, sugars and sodium.
Key points of interest:
- The Front-of-Pack (FOP) nutrition labelling regulation was introduced in 2022 by Health Canada as part of amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR).
- Impacted prepackaged foods include deli meats, soups, frozen meals and desserts, puddings, salad dressings, cereals and more.
- There are some exceptions, including whole or cut vegetables and fruits, select dairy products and foods with a healthy fat profile.
- The FOP nutrition symbol, presented in both English and French, includes a magnifying glass and will complement the Nutrition Facts table on the back of the package.
NSF, a leading public health and safety organization, is leading efforts to help Canadian businesses navigate the new regulation. Our support services include product reformulation, package label reviews and label redesign. On October 29 at 1PM ET, NSF will host a free webinar to explain the new regulation in depth.
"This regulation is the first of its kind for our nation and will impact thousands of food businesses," says Michelle Anstey, Regulatory Affairs Manager at NSF. "Though the Front-of-Pack symbol will not be required until January 1, 2026, many businesses are already adapting to the new regulation in order to meet production timelines and ensure on-time compliance."