Canada’s 2026 Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Labelling: What You Need to Know + Downloads
As Canada prepares for sweeping changes to food packaging regulations, understanding the new Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition labelling rules is essential for brands aiming to maintain consumer trust and market competitiveness. Effective January 1, 2026, these regulations mandate that prepackaged foods high in saturated fat, sugars, and sodium display a clear, standardized FOP nutrition symbol. Scroll to the bottom of this page to grab these files for your own packaging.
source: www.canada.ca
WHY IS THE CANADIAN FOOD INSPECTION AGENCY (CFIA) INTRODUCING THESE REGULATIONS?
The primary goal of the FOP nutrition labelling initiative is to empower Canadian consumers with quick, accessible nutritional insights. By prominently displaying whether a product contains high levels of key nutrients associated with adverse health effects, the regulation is designed to:
Enhance Consumer Awareness: The new requirements make it easier for shoppers to identify foods with high levels of saturated fats, sugars, and sodium at a glance.
Promote Healthier Options: By spotlighting products that exceed nutritional thresholds, the regulations encourage manufacturers to reformulate recipes towards healthier standards.
Reduce Health Risks: A key goal is to help lower the rates of chronic illnesses that are linked to excessive intake of unhealthy nutrients.
How Will Your CPG Brand Be Affected?
Mandatory Labelling: Any food or beverage product that is high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium must now feature a standardized Front-of-Pack (FOP) nutrition symbol.
Visibility is Crucial: The label must be placed on the front of the package—it can’t be tucked away on a side or the back, ensuring consumers see it immediately.
DEFINING “HIGH IN”:
Saturated Fats: Products containing 15% or more of the daily value (DV) per serving must display the symbol.
Sugars: Similarly, items with 15% or more DV per serving fall under the new regulation, with a lower threshold of 10% DV for smaller serving sizes (30 g/30 mL or less).
Sodium: Foods that deliver 15% or more DV of sodium per serving are also required to have the label.
source: www.canada.ca
WHICH PRODUCTS ARE EXEMPT?
Fresh Produce: Whole fruits and vegetables without added ingredients remain exempt.
Certain Dairy Products: Items like plain milk and plain yogurt, recognized for their nutritional benefits, do not require the FOP symbol.
Unprocessed Proteins: Raw, single-ingredient meats and seafood are not subject to these labelling changes.
Specialized Products: Supplements, meal replacements, infant formulas, and baby foods are excluded from the regulation.
Small Packages: Foods in packages with a surface area of 15 cm² or less are not required to display the symbol.
Other Considerations: Products designed for specific dietary needs or restrictions may also qualify for exemptions.
What Does This Mean for Your Brand?
Packaging Overhaul: All product packaging will need to be updated to meet the new labelling standards by the compliance deadline.
Potential Reformulation: Many brands might choose to reformulate their products to steer clear of the “high in” designation, thereby avoiding the need for the label.
Maintaining Consumer Trust: It's essential to manage consumer messaging carefully. Transparent and proactive communication can help maintain your brand’s credibility and market position during this transition.
If your brand falls within the scope of these changes, our expert packaging and production team is here to guide you through the necessary updates. We can help ensure that your products are not only compliant with the new regulations but also continue to stand out on the shelf.
Compliance Timeline
Implementation Date: While the new rules were introduced in June 2022, full compliance is mandated by January 1, 2026.
Transition Period: Manufacturers have been provided a grace period to update packaging and ensure all designs adhere to the new standards.
Impact on Product Lines: This timeline is crucial for both new product launches and the revamping of existing packaging, ensuring that every item on the shelf is both compliant and appealing.
If you need more detailed information, visit the government of Canada website.
Download .eps Files
To help food manufacturers and brands comply with the new standards, we provide .eps files of the FOP nutrition symbols that fully adhere to Health Canada's guidelines and can be effortlessly incorporated into your packaging designs and mock-ups.
