Nutrition labelling: Front-of-package nutrition symbol
Check out the new awareness resources and share information about the front-of-package nutrition symbol.
We're improving food labels. A front-of-package nutrition symbol is required on foods that are high in one or more of saturated fat, sugars or sodium. The food industry has been given until January 1, 2026, to make this change. However, you may start seeing the front-of-package nutrition symbol earlier.
On this page
- Why a front-of-package nutrition symbol
- Foods that must have a front-of-package nutrition symbol
- What the front-of-package nutrition symbol looks like
- How we chose the front-of-package nutrition symbol
- How the nutrition symbol must appear on the front of the package
- Share information about the front-of-package nutrition symbol
- Related information
Why a front-of-package nutrition symbol
Frequently eating foods high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium can lead to increased health risks. Some of these risks are:
- stroke
- obesity
- heart disease
- type 2 diabetes
- high blood pressure
- some types of cancers
The front-of-package nutrition symbol will:
- help you make quick and informed choices when shopping for groceries
- support health professionals in educating people about foods high in sodium, sugars and saturated fat
Infographic: Front-of-package nutrition labelling
Foods that must have a front-of-package nutrition symbol
The front-of-package nutrition symbol is mandatory for prepackaged foods that meet or exceed set levels for saturated fat, sugars or sodium.
Some foods do not need to display a nutrition symbol. These include:
- foods exempt for technical reasons, such as:
- packaged individual portions that are only intended to be served by a restaurant or other commercial enterprise to accompany meals or snacks (for example, individually portioned crackers served with soup or creamers served with a cup of coffee)
- milk and cream sold in refillable glass containers
- foods in very small packages
- raw, single ingredient whole cuts of meat, poultry and fish that do not carry a nutrition facts table
- foods with a protective effect on health, such as fruits and vegetables without added saturated fat, sugars or sodium
- certain dairy products, such as plain milk, plain yogurt and cheese because they are important sources of calcium that is needed to promote bone health and reduce the risk of osteoporosis
- raw, single ingredient ground meats and poultry to avoid giving the impression that they are nutritionally inferior to whole cuts that do not carry a nutrition symbol
- butter, sugar, salt and other products used for the same purpose as butter, sugar or salt, such as:
- honey
- celery salt
- maple syrup
- vegetable oils
- seasoning salt
What the front-of-package nutrition symbol looks like
The front-of-package nutrition symbol is black and white. It has a magnifying glass and highlights what the food is high in: saturated fat, sugars, sodium or any combination of these.
The words "Health Canada / Santé Canada" appear at the bottom of the symbol.
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Figure 1 - Text Description
Shown here is a figure that consists of two boxes, the first in landscape format, the second in portrait format. Both boxes show the bilingual front-of-package nutrition symbol for the principal display panel that indicates that a prepackaged product is high in saturated fat and sodium. The black and white symbol consists of a magnifying glass icon, and the following text: first line reads "High in"; second line reads "Sat fat"; and third line reads "Sodium". The words "Health Canada" appear at the bottom of the box.
How we chose the front-of-package nutrition symbol
Feedback from people living in Canada and consumer research helped us choose the nutrition symbol.
Learn more: Front-of-package labelling consumer research and consultation
How the nutrition symbol must appear on the front of the package
The nutrition symbol must always appear in the same way, so that it is easy to find and use. There are specific requirements for its:
- size
- location
- language
Size
The size of the package determines the size of the symbol. This way, it can be easily seen on packages of all sizes.
Location
The nutrition symbol will appear in the upper half of the label for most package shapes. It will appear on the right half of the package label, if the label is wider than it is tall.
Figure 2 - Text Description
Shown here is a figure that consists of three prepackaged food items to illustrate the size, location and presentation of the front-of-package nutrition symbol. The food items consist of a chocolate bar, a bag of popcorn, and a bottle of fruit juice. The nutrition symbol (refer to Figure 1) is prominently displayed on the front of each packaged item in the top right corner.
Language
The front-of-package nutrition symbol is in both English and French. There could be two separate symbols, one in English and one in French, or both languages on the same symbol.
Share information about the front-of-package nutrition symbol
We want to increase consumers' awareness of the front-of-package nutrition symbol to support their ability to make informed food choices when shopping for food for themselves and their families. Check out the new awareness resources and share information about the front-of-package nutrition symbol.
Related information
- Healthy Eating Strategy
- Front-of-package nutrition labelling backgrounder
- Front-of-package nutrition symbol labelling guide for industry
- Front-of-package labelling consumer research and consultation
- Summary of amendments published in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Nutrition symbols, other labelling provisions, vitamin D and hydrogenated fats or oils
- Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Vitamin D and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils)
- Marketing Authorization to Permit a Lower Calcium Threshold for Exemptions from the Requirement for Prepackaged Products to Carry a Nutrition Symbol in the Case of Cheese, Yogurt, Kefir and Buttermilk
- Interim policy statements on certain front-of-package nutrition labelling requirements
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