Tag: Canadian food regulations

Aspartame, a low-calorie artificial sweetener, has been permitted for use as a food additive in Canada since 1981 following extensive safety reviews. Today, many Canadians wonder: is aspartame still used in Canada, and is it safe to consume?

According to the Canadian Food and Drug Regulations, all salt sold for table or general household use in Canada is required to be iodized. This public health measure, mandatory since 1949, was implemented to combat widespread iodine deficiency in the population.

Since November 2012, Health Canada has permitted the use of purified stevia extracts, known as steviol glycosides, as a food additive in certain products. This landmark decision clarified that while processed stevia is allowed, the legal status of the unprocessed leaf is treated differently under Canadian law.

In Canada, energy drinks are strictly limited to a maximum of 180 mg of caffeine per serving, a regulation enforced by Health Canada for supplemented foods. This rule is one of several that define precisely how much caffeine can be in a drink in Canada, encompassing not only energy drinks but also sodas and other beverages.

Standardized "Nutrition Facts" labeling became mandatory for most prepackaged foods in Canada on December 12, 2005, following the introduction of regulatory amendments by the Government of Canada in 2003. This major regulatory change provided consumers with consistent and reliable nutritional information to make informed food choices.

As of early 2026, most prepackaged foods in Canada are required to display a new front-of-package nutrition symbol if they are high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium. The black and white symbol was developed by Health Canada to help consumers quickly identify foods with high levels of these specific nutrients.

Did you know that standard Grade A shell eggs sold in Canadian grocery stores are typically not pasteurized? For dishes with raw or undercooked eggs, it is crucial to know **how to know if eggs are pasteurized in Canada** by checking the packaging for clear labelling to ensure food safety.

Despite persistent online claims suggesting a drastic reduction, the total number of ingredients in US and Canadian Fruit Loops is actually quite similar. The crucial difference for anyone concerned about their nutrition diet isn't about fewer ingredients, but about the specific types of additives used, begging the question: Do Fruit Loops in Canada have fewer ingredients, and if so, does it matter?