Health Canada's new food labels warn of high sugar, salt and saturated fat

Health Canada requires black-and-white front-of-package labels with a magnifying-glass icon to identify foods high in sugar, saturated fat or sodium, a rule that came into force on July 20, 2022 after a long transition period.

Health Canada is implementing front-of-package nutrition labels to identify products high in sugar, saturated fat or sodium. The labels are black-and-white rectangular symbols featuring a magnifying-glass icon. The requirement applies to Canadian manufacturers and importers as well as to foreign companies exporting food to Canada. The labelling was introduced as part of Health Canada's healthy eating strategy and came into force on July 20, 2022, with a long transition period set by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Key points: - The labels are black-and-white rectangular symbols with a magnifying-glass icon. - The rule applies to Canadian manufacturers and importers and to foreign companies that export food to Canada. - Health Canada says the symbol is intended to increase consumer awareness and support shoppers' ability to make informed food choices. - The labelling measure is part of Health Canada's healthy eating strategy and came into force on July 20, 2022. - Health Canada warns that regularly eating foods high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium could increase health risks. Summary: The front-of-package labels are intended to make it clearer when packaged foods are high in sugar, salt or saturated fat and form part of a broader healthy eating strategy. The regulation took effect on July 20, 2022 and industry was given a long transition period; Undetermined at this time.