Nutrition labelling: Overview
Learn how nutrition information on food labels can help you make informed food choices.
What's on a label
Most packaged foods have labels containing nutrition information. This information can help you:
- know what's in your food
- make informed food choices by:
- comparing and choosing food products more easily
- avoiding a food product in case of a food allergy or intolerance
Most food labels must include:
- a nutrition facts table, which shows:
- serving size
- calories and nutrients
- % daily value (% DV)
- a list of ingredients, including:
- added sulphites
- common allergens
- gluten sources (when present as ingredients or components of ingredients)
You may also find:
- nutrition claims on a label, which describe the:
- amount of a nutrient in a food, such as:
- low sodium
- high in fibre
- positive effects of a food on your health, such as:
- A healthy diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer
- amount of a nutrient in a food, such as:
- a front-of-package nutrition symbol on foods that are high in:
- sodium
- sugars
- saturated fats