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Canada goes front-of-package with new nutrition label

Foods high in saturated fat, sugar, sodium required to carry magnifying glass symbol

Russell Redman

July 7, 2022

4 Min Read
Canada new nutrition label-magnifying glass-yogurt.jpg
The magnifying glass symbol, tested in different positions on the front of product packaging, is designed to draw Canadians' attention to information they need to make healthier food choices when grocery shopping, Health Canada said.Health Canada

Canada has unveiled a new front-of-package nutrition label designed to highlight foods high in certain content that could impact consumers’ health.

The new nutrition symbol features a magnifying glass and text to draw attention to foods high in saturated fat, sugar and/or sodium to help Canadians make more informed product selections as they shop for groceries, Health Canada said last week. Canada’s health agency noted that the symbol must be displayed on the front of packaged foods with such nutritional content, and manufacturers have until Jan. 1, 2026, to change their labels to comply with the new requirement.

“We want all Canadians to have the information they need to make healthy food choices,” Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos said in a statement. “In the coming years, the symbol will make it easier for you and your family to make informed choices. This simple yet effective nutrition symbol will promote healthy eating for all Canadians.”

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Manufacturers have until Jan. 1, 2026, to change their food and beverage labels to comply with the new requirement for the magnifying glass symbol.

Foods that contribute 15% or more of the daily value of sodium, sugar or saturated fat will need to display the new front-of-package nutrition label. For entrees with a serving size greater than 200g, the threshold will be 30% or more of daily value for sodium, sugars or saturated fat. Foods consumed in small quantities of less than 30g, such as jam, will be subject to a threshold of 10% or more of daily value for sodium, sugar or saturated fat.

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Fresh foods such as vegetables, fruit, meat and fish, as well as some milk products, won’t need to carry the magnifying glass symbol.

Health Canada said the magnifying glass label is intended to complement the Nutrition Facts table displayed on the back of food packages.

“The new front-of-package labeling regulations will allow consumers to make informed decisions about their food. It also recognizes the nutritional value of certain foods that are either unprocessed or barely processed, such as calcium in dairy products,” according to Marie-Claude Bibeau, Canada’s minister of agriculture and agri-food. “Processors who wish to do so have a few years to review their processes and, in some cases, improve their recipes.”

Canada new nutrition label-magnifying glass-juice.pngHealth Canada said the magnifying glass symbol also was tested in different proximities to other nutrition information on food and beverage packaging. (Image courtesy of Health Canada)

Canada’s Heart & Stroke Foundation, an organization that battles cardiovascular disease and stroke, said Canada joins nations like Chile and Mexico that have introduced similar labelling. A study of Chile's front-of-package nutrition labels revealed a 25% decrease in sugary drink purchases after 18 months, and 37% of Chileans agreed that the labels led them to make changes to their food choices. In Canada, the new mandatory labels also are expected to spur companies to develop healthier products and reformulate existing foods to avoid the label.

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“Canadians get nearly half of their daily calories from ultra-processed foods, and this figure is even higher for our children and youth who are, unfortunately, the biggest consumers of these foods,” explained Doug Roth, CEO of the Heart & Stroke Foundation. “Adding a clearly visible and easy-to-understand symbol on the front of these products will help people quickly spot foods high in sodium, sugars or saturated fat. This is especially true for those who have difficulty with the Nutrition Facts table found on the back of food packages, which can include seniors, people with low literacy, people with poor eyesight and those who speak languages other than English or French.” 

Foods high in saturated fat, sugar and sodium are being targeted by the new front-of-package nutrition labeling regulations because of strong evidence linking their excess consumption to added risk of chronic disease, Health Canada reported. Two in five Canadian adults have chronic conditions such as heart disease or type 2 diabetes. The agency said it’s estimated that a reduction of 400mg of sodium per day, achieved over a 10-year period, would result in up to 40,000 fewer cases of coronary heart disease and 23,000 fewer cases of stroke annually.

“Diabetes Canada applauds the government of Canada for taking an important step toward promoting healthy eating through the legislation of front-of-package (FOP) labelling on many of the foods and beverages available in the Canadian marketplace,” stated Laura Syron, president and CEO of Diabetes Canada, which provides diabetes education, research and services. “Simple and consistent FOP labeling is an important tool for promoting healthy options when making decisions on what to purchase and consume. Research shows that, done effectively, food and beverage labeling can inform people of what is in their food, thereby helping them identify and choose healthier products.”

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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