The Shift Towards Consumer-Friendly Labels
In an effort to empower Canadians to make healthier food choices, Health Canada has overhauled the country's food labelling requirements. The changes, which came into full effect on January 1, 2026, focus on simplifying the Nutrition Facts table (NFT) and aligning its information with current scientific evidence. This update is part of a broader healthy eating strategy that also includes mandatory front-of-package (FOP) symbols for foods high in saturated fat, sugars, or sodium. The new-look NFT features significant revisions to its format, content, and the information provided, ensuring consumers can more easily find and understand key nutritional data.
The Seven Key Updates Explained
Health Canada's redesign of the NFT incorporated seven specific changes, each intended to make labels clearer and more consistent for all Canadians.
1. Enhanced Visuals for Calories and Serving Size
To draw immediate attention to the most prominent information, the display of calories and the serving size has been upgraded. The text for calories is now significantly larger, bolder, and surrounded by more white space, making it stand out. Similarly, the serving size text is also larger and bolder, ensuring this critical information is easily found at the top of the table. This improved visual hierarchy helps consumers quickly grasp the basic energy content per serving.
2. More Realistic and Consistent Serving Sizes
Serving sizes on the new NFT are now more consistent across similar food products and more accurately reflect the amount Canadians typically eat in one sitting. For example, the reference amount for yogurt is now a standardized 175g, whereas previously it could vary widely by brand. This consistency eliminates a source of consumer confusion and facilitates more accurate comparison between different brands and products.
3. A Percent Daily Value (%DV) for Total Sugars
A new % Daily Value (%DV) for total sugars has been added to the NFT. This change is one of the most significant, as it provides a clear benchmark for consumers to assess a food's sugar content within a single glance. By providing a %DV, shoppers can immediately understand if a food contains a little or a lot of sugar relative to a daily recommended intake, helping to control overall sugar consumption.
4. A New Footnote for the % Daily Value
Accompanying the new %DV for total sugars is a simple footnote at the bottom of the table. This footnote clearly explains how to use the %DV, stating: "*5% or less is a little, 15% or more is a lot". This easy-to-remember rule of thumb helps consumers interpret the nutrient information without requiring extensive nutritional knowledge.
5. Revised Vitamins and Minerals List
The list of required vitamins and minerals has been updated to reflect current dietary recommendations. Most Canadians get sufficient Vitamin A and Vitamin C, so these are no longer mandatory on the label. Instead, Vitamin D and Potassium are now required, as many Canadians do not get enough of these essential nutrients. Calcium and Iron remain mandatory.
6. Absolute Amounts for Select Nutrients
To help consumers track their nutrient intake more accurately, the new NFT requires that the actual amounts (in milligrams or micrograms) for Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium be listed, in addition to their %DV. This is particularly useful for individuals managing specific health conditions or tracking supplement intake.
7. Reordered Nutrient Information
The order in which nutrients are presented on the table has been reorganized for better readability. Nutrients that contribute to calories—namely Fat, Carbohydrates, and Protein—are now grouped immediately below the calorie count. This logical flow helps consumers to quickly identify the major macronutrient components of a food product.
How the New Label Compares to the Old
This comparison table illustrates the key differences between the old and new Canadian Nutrition Facts tables, highlighting how the changes provide more accessible and relevant information for consumers.
| Feature | Old Nutrition Facts Table | New Nutrition Facts Table |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | Font size often small; not visually prominent. | Larger, bolder font; visually prominent. |
| Serving Size | Varied across similar products; sometimes unrealistic. | Standardized and more realistic to reflect actual consumption. |
| Order of Nutrients | Less logical grouping; nutrients ordered differently. | Fat, Carbs, and Protein immediately follow the calorie count. |
| %DV for Sugars | No %DV provided; only total grams listed. | Now includes a mandatory %DV for total sugars. |
| Vitamins & Minerals | Required Vitamin A and C; no Potassium or Vitamin D. | Required Vitamin D and Potassium; A and C are now optional. |
| Absolute Amounts | Milligrams for Calcium and Iron only; not for others. | Requires milligrams or micrograms for Vitamin D, Calcium, Iron, and Potassium. |
| %DV Footnote | No explanatory footnote. | Includes a footnote: "*5% or less is a little, 15% or more is a lot." |
Impact on Consumers and Manufacturers
For consumers, the new tables represent a significant step towards improved food literacy. The more consistent serving sizes and clearer formatting simplify the process of comparing different products. The addition of a %DV for sugars provides a powerful new tool for managing daily intake, while the clear footnote makes interpreting label data intuitive. For manufacturers, the transition required significant updates to packaging and production processes to ensure compliance by the deadline. While this posed a challenge, the updated labels align with a national health strategy focused on transparency and informed consumer choice.
For more detailed information on compliance and regulations, food manufacturers can consult the resources provided by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Conclusion
The seven new changes to the Nutrition Facts table in Canada are a comprehensive update designed to benefit public health by making nutrition information clearer, more consistent, and easier to understand. From more prominent calories to a %DV for total sugars, these revisions empower consumers to make better-informed decisions about the food they purchase and consume. The simplified layout and educational footnote ensure that the new label is accessible to everyone, fostering healthier eating habits across the country for years to come.
