Canada is kicking off 2026 with a front-of-package labeling regulation that could have a big impact on public health and sales of high-fat, -sugar and -sodium foods.
The new package label, launched by Health Canada in 2022 and effective Jan. 1, targets products high in sugar, sodium and saturated fat, requiring them to include a new symbol that features a black-and-white magnifying glass and information indicating the product’s unhealthy attributes.
Advocates say the labels provide quick access to information without referencing the ingredients listed on the back or side of the packaging.
Labeling basics
For most products, the label requirement goes into effect if a single serving has more than 15% of the daily recommended amount of sugar, sodium or saturated fat.
Small-portion products with 30 grams or 30 milliliters or less meet the labeling threshold at 10%, and main dish-type meals of 200 grams or more require labels at 30%.
Exemptions to the regulation include: fruits, vegetables and milk; raw meats and poultry; seafood with less than 30% of the total fat as saturated fat; and yogurt, cheese and kefir.
The labels also state “Health Canada / Santé Canada” at the bottom as an indicator of the government mandate.
Clearing up confusion
While the regulation aims to help consumers make more informed decisions about the products they purchase, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada said the labels also will clear up dubious health claims on products.
Food and beverage companies often market their products’ health benefits with labels such as “high in calcium” or a “source of iron,” according to Carol Dombrow, a Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada dietitian.
“However, a product that qualifies for this kind of claim may also be high in sugar or salt, which can increase your risk of chronic disease, including heart disease and stroke,” Dombrow wrote in December. “New front-of-package labeling will change this somewhat confusing scenario, providing up-front information that enables you to make healthier choices faster.”
Labeling on the international stage
Canada is joining countries in Europe and across the globe that require nutritional warning labels, but most do not require the labels on the front of the packaging.
Lausanne, Switzerland-based Frontiers in Public Health published a report in late 2024 noting that 16 countries, most of which are in the Western Hemisphere, require front-of-package labels for nutrition information.
Those in the Americas include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay and Venezuela. Israel, Iran, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Singapore also mandate front-of-package labeling, according to the report.
Globally, 95 countries implemented mandatory nutrient labeling policies, according to the report, authored by researchers at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, Dhaka, Bangladesh, and New York City-based non-profit Resolve to Save Lives.
“Over recent years, the number of countries adopting mandatory nutrition labeling policies, especially FOPLs [front-of-package labels], has increased globally. Labeling policies should be evidence-based and follow the best practices to protect consumers from unhealthy nutrients and promote healthy eating. FOPL designs need to be selected based on country-specific evidence of effectiveness and appropriateness, avoiding industry influence,” the report noted.
Chile takes the lead on labeling
Chile was the first to implement front-of-package label requirements, launching its mandate in 2016, according to a Resolve to Save Lives report released in April.
In Chile, the labels led to a reduction in consumption as well as a change in formulations by food manufacturers.
“For instance, the proportion of foods and beverages requiring a ‘high in’ front-of-package warning label decreased from 71% to 53% after the full implementation of the law, and the levels of critical nutrients declined across all food and beverage categories,” according to the report. “Furthermore, recent evaluations found that, overall, households reduced their purchases of nutrients of concern by 20% for sugar, 14% for sodium, 10% for saturated fat and 8% for total calories.”
