Health Canada’s proposal to update the incorporated by reference document: Table of daily values

Reference Number: NOP/ADP-DVQ-2021-1

June 24, 2021

On this page

• Background
  • Table of daily values
  • Rationale for revising daily values for potassium and sodium
• Proposed changes to the Table of daily values
• DV for sodium
  • Rationale for proposed updates to DV for sodium
  • Proposed updated daily value for sodium
• DV for potassium
  • Rationale for proposed updates to DVs for potassium
  • Proposed updated daily values for potassium
• Other relevant information
  • Nutrition labelling considerations
• Implementation and enforcement
• Public comments and contact information
• Appendix

Background

Table of daily values

The Table of Daily Values is a two-part table that sets out the recommended amounts of nutrients (the daily value) for specific age groups. These are the reference points upon which the % daily value (%DV) in the nutrition facts table (NFt) are based.

Part 1 of the table sets out the daily values for macronutrients and sodium for two age groups. Part 2 of the table sets out the daily values for vitamin and mineral nutrients for three different age groups.

The table was incorporated by reference in the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) on December 14, 2016 (SOR/2016-305) in order to allow for timely and efficient updates in response to new scientific data. Previously, this information was prescribed in tables following section B.01.001.1 and in Part D, Divisions 1 and 2 of the FDR.

Rationale for revising daily values for potassium and sodium

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) has published updated Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for sodium and potassium intake (2019). The DRIs are a comprehensive set of nutrient reference values for healthy populations that are used to inform nutrition policies and programs.

As the %DV in the NFt for potassium and sodium are currently based on the 2005 DRIs, the release of the 2019 DRIs prompted Health Canada to examine policy implications for existing nutrition labelling regulations. Health Canada has completed an assessment of the new DRI values and has determined that amendments to the current DVs for potassium and sodium set out in the Table of Daily Values are required.

Proposed changes to the Table of daily values

Health Canada is proposing that the Table of Daily Values be amended as follows to reflect the new DRI values for sodium and potassium:

• Food intended solely for children one year of age or older but less than four years of age:
  • decrease the DV for sodium from 1500 mg to 1200 mg (Column 2 of Item 6 in Part 1 of the table)
• Food intended solely for infants six months of age or older but less than one year of age:
  • increase the DV for potassium from 700 mg to 860 mg (Column 2 of Item 1 in Part 2 of the table)
• Food intended for infants six months of age or older but less than one year of age or children one year of age or older but less than four years of age:
  • decrease the DV for potassium from 3000 mg to 2000 mg (Column 3 of Item 1 in Part 2 of the table)
• For any other case:
  • decrease the DV for potassium from 4700 mg to 3400 mg (Column 4 of Item 1 in Part 2 of the table)

DV for sodium

Rationale for proposed updates to DV for sodium

• Sodium is an essential mineral nutrient that our bodies need in small amounts to function properly. However, Canadians consume too much sodium. High sodium intake can cause hypertension (high blood pressure) which is an important risk factor for heart disease, stroke, and kidney disease, as well as other conditions. Heart disease and stroke are leading causes of death in Canada, after cancer. For these reasons, sodium is a nutrient of public health concern.
• The 2019 DRI report included a new category of DRIs called Chronic Disease Risk Reduction Intakes (CDRR). The CDRR is the lowest level of intake expected to reduce chronic disease risk. CDRR values were established for sodium. In the case of sodium, the CDRR for adults, 19-70 years is "reduce intakes if above 2300 mg/day" and CDRR for children 1-4 years is "reduce intakes if above 1200 mg/day".
• There is insufficient evidence to establish a toxicological risk level from high sodium intake, separate from chronic disease risk. As such, no sodium Tolerable Upper Intake level (UL)^{Footnote 1} was established. The CDRR values for sodium are similar to the ULs established in the 2005 DRI report as the effect of sodium intake on blood pressure used to inform the previous ULs was part of the evidence used by the DRI committee to inform the CDRR. However, the sodium CDRRs for children were extrapolated based on Estimated Energy requirements (EERs) for sedentary individuals, rather than being based on reported energy intake because of concerns over bias in self-reported energy intake.
• For nutrients of public health concern related to excessive intakes that are linked to increased risk of chronic disease, such as sodium, the DVs declared on the NFt have been based on the upper limit values. Thus, the proposed DVs are based on the CDRR values.

DV for potassium

Rationale for proposed updates to DVs for potassium

• Potassium is an essential mineral nutrient. Increasing dietary potassium intake can reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. Based on current dietary intake recommendations, potassium is a nutrient of public health concern because of the low intakes and high prevalence of hypertension in the Canadian population.
• In the absence of a specific indicator to determine potassium requirements of healthy people, the Adequate Intake (AI) values for potassium were updated in the 2019 DRI report. Apart for infants 6 months to less than 12 months old, the potassium values are lower for every life-stage group in comparison with the 2005 DRI values. This is because the AIs were derived using updated usual potassium intakes of children and adults with normal blood pressure and no history of cardiovascular disease. For infants, the AIs were derived from estimates of potassium intakes in breastfed infants.
• For nutrients Canadians do not consume enough of, such as potassium, the DVs continue to be based on the "population coverage" principle of choosing the highest recommended intake value that covers the nutrient requirements of almost all healthy individuals in each age group.

For the complete Table of Daily Values with the proposed updated values see Appendix.

Other relevant information

Nutrition labelling considerations

Updating the DV would not require redesign of package labels, as it would not affect the NFt's size or format. However, there may be some minor labelling implications for manufacturers who have already implemented the new NFt requirements introduced in December 2016.

With respect to potassium

• The proposed revisions to the potassium DV will result in a higher %DV declaration in the NFt (except for the %DV for infants six to twelve months which will result in a lower %DV).
• The proposed revisions to the potassium DV will allow for a greater number of products to make potassium-related source claims. For example, in order to make a potassium nutrient content claim such as "source of", "good source of" or "excellent source of" a food must contain at least 5%, 10% or 15% respectively of the potassium DV per serving of stated size. This is currently equivalent to 235 mg, 470 mg or 705 mg respectively per serving of stated size, as indicated in the summary table of potassium claims. As the 2019 AI's for potassium are considerably lower compared to the 2005 AI's, more food products will now meet the new conditions to make a "source of" (170 mg), "good source of (340 mg) or "excellent source of" (510 mg) claim.

With respect to sodium

• The proposed revision to the sodium DV for food intended solely for children one year of age or older but less than four years of age will result in higher %DV declaration in the NFt. However, this will not impact the sodium nutrient content claims (Note: only a "no added sodium or salt" nutrient content claim is permitted on these foods (B.01.503(2)(d)).

Implementation and enforcement

The proposed changes to the Table of Daily Values will be made the day on which the Notice of Modification (NOM) is published on Health Canada's website. Given the nature of the proposed changes, Health Canada is proposing to give industry until December 14, 2023 to implement these changes. During this time, the new 2021 Table of Daily Values and the previous 2016 Table of Daily Values may apply. This will provide industry sufficient time to implement these changes and align with the 2016 nutrition labelling amendments to the FDR. Therefore, by December 15, 2023, only the new 2021 Table will be in effect.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is responsible for the enforcement of the Food and Drugs Act and its associated regulations with respect to foods.

Public comments and contact information

Health Canada is committed to reviewing any new information relating to this proposal. Interested persons wishing to submit comments or any inquiries on this proposal may do so electronically by September 7 2021, 75 days from the date of this posting. All such submissions must use the words "Table of Daily Values (NOP/ADP-DVQ-2021-1)" in the subject line of the e-mail and be addressed to:

Bureau of Nutritional Sciences, Food Directorate

E-mail: hc.bns-bsn.sc@canada.ca

Appendix

2021 Nutrition labelling - Table of daily values