The new front-of-package (FOP) symbol
Starting January 1, 2026, Canadians will see a new mandatory black-and-white symbol on the front of most prepackaged food products that contain high levels of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium. This initiative is a core part of Health Canada's Healthy Eating Strategy, aiming to make it easier for consumers to identify less healthy options quickly and intuitively while shopping. The FOP symbol, featuring a magnifying glass icon, is designed to catch the eye and clearly state which nutrient(s) of concern the product is high in.
The placement of this new symbol is standardized to ensure consistency and visibility. For most packages, it will appear in the upper half of the principal display panel. For labels that are wider than they are tall, it will be placed on the right half. The symbol must also be presented in both English and French to comply with Canadian language regulations. The thresholds that trigger the symbol are based on updated Daily Values (DV) and depend on the food category and serving size.
- For most packaged foods, the symbol is required if the product contains 15% DV or more of saturated fat, sugars, or sodium per serving.
- For main dishes with a reference amount of 200g or more, the threshold is 30% DV per serving.
- Foods with small reference amounts (30g or 30mL or less) have a 10% DV threshold.
Updated Nutrition Facts table and ingredients list
In addition to the new FOP symbol, the traditional Nutrition Facts table and the ingredients list have also been revised to provide clearer and more accurate information. These updates were part of an earlier phase of Health Canada's labelling modernization and work in tandem with the new FOP symbol to help consumers make informed decisions.
Key changes to the Nutrition Facts table include:
- Serving Size: More standardized and realistic serving sizes, making it easier to compare similar products.
- Calories: The calorie count is now more prominent with larger font and a bold line underneath to draw attention.
- % Daily Value (%DV): The DVs for many nutrients were updated based on current scientific evidence. The table now includes a footnote explaining that "5% or less is a little, 15% or more is a lot".
- Nutrients: The list of required nutrients has changed. Potassium is now included, while Vitamins A and C are no longer mandatory but can be listed voluntarily.
- Sugars: A %DV for total sugars has been added to give consumers a better sense of how much sugar a product contains relative to a recommended daily intake.
The ingredients list also received important updates to improve readability and transparency:
- All sugar-based ingredients, such as brown sugar, sugar, and fancy molasses, are now grouped together in parentheses after the name “Sugars.” This makes it easier to spot the total amount of added sugar.
- Food colours must be listed by their specific common names, not just the generic term “colour”.
- The list must meet minimum font size and colour contrast requirements for easier reading.
Exemptions and special considerations
Not all foods will be required to carry the FOP symbol, as Health Canada has provided exemptions for specific product categories. These exemptions are in place for products that are generally considered healthy or are nutritionally significant, ensuring the labels do not discourage the consumption of important foods. Some key exemptions include:
- Whole fruits and vegetables that have not had saturated fat, sugars, or sodium added.
- Certain dairy products like plain milk, plain yogurt, and cheese, which are important sources of calcium.
- Raw, single-ingredient whole and ground meats and poultry.
- Technical exemptions for items like very small packages, and products sold in refillable glass containers.
Comparing old and new food labels
To see the impact of these changes, consider the table below, which highlights the key differences between the previous labelling system and the updated one, including the new front-of-package symbol.
| Feature | Old Nutrition Label | New Nutrition Label (Post-2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Front-of-Package (FOP) | N/A (not required) | Mandatory black-and-white symbol for high saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium. |
| Calories | Listed in smaller, less prominent text. | Larger, bolder text to emphasize calorie content. |
| Serving Size | Inconsistent across similar products, sometimes unrealistically small. | Standardized for similar foods to allow for easier comparison. |
| % Daily Value (%DV) | Based on older, different Daily Value recommendations. | Updated values based on newer science; includes a '5%/15%' footnote. |
| Sugars | Listed in grams, no %DV provided. | Includes a %DV for total sugars to provide context. |
| Potassium | Optional nutrient, not always listed. | Mandatory nutrient, listed with amount in milligrams (mg) and %DV. |
| Vitamins A & C | Mandatory nutrients on the table. | Removed as mandatory since most Canadians get enough from their diet. |
| Ingredients List | Sugar-based ingredients scattered throughout the list, often under different names. | All sugars are grouped together in parentheses after the word “Sugars”. |
| Readability | Varying font size and colour contrast issues. | Improved with minimum font size and black text on a neutral background. |
Conclusion
The introduction of new nutrition labelling in Canada represents a significant step towards public health promotion. By standardizing the front-of-package warnings and modernizing the information on the back, Health Canada aims to empower consumers to make faster, more informed choices. The black-and-white FOP symbol will serve as a visual cue, making it easier to quickly identify products high in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium. These changes, alongside updates to the Nutrition Facts table and ingredients list, encourage a broader focus on nutrition literacy and potentially push the food industry to reformulate products for the healthier benefit of all Canadians.
For more detailed information and official guidance on the regulations, refer to the Government of Canada's dedicated webpage.
