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2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising

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Acknowledgement

Contributions of Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Health Canada officers and other experts who provided input to this document are gratefully acknowledged.

Information found in the 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising is provided free of charge to the public. It may be reused or reproduced provided that it is:

  • accurately reproduced,
  • accompanied by the date of issue, or in the case of an amended section, the date of the most recent amendment appearing at the bottom of the page, and
  • the source is credited.

Persons using this information agree to save harmless Her Majesty in right of Canada and all her representatives against any claim resulting from its use.

Amendments in 2003 Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising

Nutrition Labelling - Former Regulations / Guidelines

Some companies may still be eligible to continue using the former regulations and guidelines for nutrition labelling during the longer transition period for small manufacturers.

All companies are now required to follow the current nutrition labelling guidelines unless they qualify for the small manufacturer exemption, meaning revenue from food sales in Canada of less than $1 million, in the year prior to December 12, 2002. Small manufacturers can  follow the old guidelines until December 12. 2007.

Table of Contents

Preface

Amendments
Guiding Principles for the Federal Food Labelling and Advertising System
Guiding Principles for Labelling and Advertising by the Canadian Food and Beverage Industry
Chapter 1
Introduction
1.1 Reason for the 2003 Guide
1.2 Legislative Framework: Key Acts and Regulations
1.3 Other Relevant Federal Legislation
1.4 Purpose of Food Labelling
1.5 Food Advertising Responsibilities
1.6 Sources of Additional Information on Labelling and Claims
Chapter 2
Basic Labelling Requirements
2.1 Definitions
2.2 General Labelling Requirements
2.3 Foods Requiring a Label
2.4 Bilingual Requirements
2.5 Common Name
2.6 Net Quantity
2.7 Name and Address
2.8 List of Ingredients
2.9 Nutrition Facts Table
2.10 Artificial Flavours
2.11 Durable Life Date
2.12 Previously Frozen
2.13 Standard Container Sizes
2.14 Other Mandatory Information
2.15 Labels of Shipping Containers
2.16 Test Market Foods
2.17 Temporary Marketing Authorization Letter
2.18 Interim Marketing Authorization
Annex 2-1 Mandatory Common Names of Ingredients and Components
Annex 2-2 Class Names for Ingredients
Annex 2-3 Ingredients Exempt from Component Declaration
Annex 2-4 Component Declarations
Chapter 3
Advertising Requirements
3.1 General Principles
3.2 Common Names
3.3 Impressions
3.4 Avoiding Misleading Description
3.5 Supporting References
3.6 Endorsements, Awards and Seals of Approval
3.7 Using Comparisons Carefully
3.8 Appropriated or Inferred Claims
3.9 Language Requirements
3.10 Net Contents
3.11 Labels in Advertisements
3.12 Advertisements for Bulk Beef, Veal, Pork and Lamb
3.13 Educational Advertising
3.14 Broadcast Advertising
Chapter 4
Composition, Quality, Quantity and Origin Claims
4.1 General Impressions
4.2 Composition and Quality - Names of Foods
4.3 Negative Claims Pertaining to the Absence or Non-Addition of a Substance
4.4 Guarantees
4.5 Fresh
4.6 Homemade
4.7 Nature, Natural
4.8 Organic
4.9 Novel Foods Produced Through Genetic Modification
4.10 Pure, 100% Pure, 100%, All
4.11 Entirely, Completely, Absolutely
4.12 True, Real, Genuine
4.13 Imitations, Substitutes
4.14 Concentrated, Concentrate, Condensed, Strength, Reconstituted
4.15 Claims Regarding Grades
4.16 Kosher Foods
4.17 Meals, Meal Replacements, Instant Breakfast
4.18 Quantity: Net Contents
4.19 Imported, Product of Canada, Made in Canada, Country of Origin
Chapter 5
Nutrition Labelling
5.1 Purpose of the New Nutrition Labelling Regulations
5.2 Transitional Period
5.3 Exemptions
5.4 Information in the Nutrition Facts Table
5.5 Displaying the Nutrition Facts Table
5.6 Formats for the Nutrition Facts Table
5.7 Compendium of Templates for Nutrition Facts Tables
5.8 Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Formats
5.9 Format Hierarchy Summary
5.10 Small Packages
5.11 Tags
5.12 Ornamental Containers
5.13 Foods Sold Only in the Retail Establishment Where Packaged
5.14 Foods for Commercial or Industrial Enterprises or Institutions
5.15 Foods for Use in Manufacturing Other Foods
5.16 Foods Intended Solely for Children Under Two Years of Age
5.17 Nutrition Facts Information from Another Country
5.18 Other Languages in the Nutrition Facts Table
Chapter 6
The Elements Within the Nutrition Facts Table
6.1 Presentation of Information Within the Table
6.2 Reference Amounts and Serving Size
6.3 Daily Intake
6.4 Energy
6.5 Fat and Fatty Acids: Saturates, Trans, Polyunsaturates, Omega-6 Polyunsaturates, Omega-3 Polyunsaturates, Monounsaturates
6.6 Sodium
6.7 Potassium
6.8 Carbohydrates
6.9 Protein
6.10 Vitamins and Mineral Nutrients
6.11 Compliance Test to Assess the Accuracy of Nutrient Values
Chapter 7
Nutrient Content Claims
7.1 Introduction
7.2 Transition Period
7.3 Permitted Nutrient Content References
7.4 Quantitative Declarations Outside the Nutrition Facts Table
7.5 Making Nutrient Content Claims: General Requirements
7.6 Altering the Wording of Permitted Nutrient Content Claims
7.7 Nutrient Content Claims for Vitamins and Minerals: General Requirements
7.8 Nutrient Content Claims on Foods Exempted or Prohibited from Showing a Nutrition Facts Table
7.9 Comparative Claims
7.10 "Light" Claims
7.11 Advertising Requirements for Nutrient Content Claims
7.12 Nutrient Content Claims Made in Restaurants
7.13 How to Use the Claims Tables
7.14 Energy and Calorie Claims
7.15 Protein Claims
7.16 Fat Claims
7.17 Saturated Fatty Acid Claims
7.18 Trans Fatty Acid Claims
7.19 Omega-3 and Omega-6 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Claims
7.20 Cholesterol Claims
7.21 Sodium (Salt) Claims
7.22 Potassium Claims
7.23 Carbohydrate and Sugars Claims
7.24 Dietary Fibre Claims
7.25 Vitamin and Mineral Nutrient Claims
Annex 7-1 Foods to Which Vitamins, Mineral Nutrients and Amino Acids May or Must be Added
Annex 7-2 Decision Tree for Advertising Requirements, Nutrient Content Claims
Chapter 8
Diet-Related Health Claims
81 Drugs Versus Foods: Definitions
8.2 Drug Claims
8.3 General Requirements for Diet-Related Health Claims and Biological Role Claims
8.4 Diet-Related Health Claims
8.5 Biological Role Claims
8.6 Testimonials and Guarantees Regarding Vitamin and Mineral Nutrients
8.7 Other Information About Diet and Disease
8.8 Some Examples of Non-Permitted Drug Claims for Foods
8.9 Obesity, Weight Loss, Weight Reduction and Maintenance
8.10 Educational Material Versus Advertising Material
8.11 Third-Party Endorsements, Logos and Seals of Approval
8.12 Heart Symbols and Heart Health Claims
8.13 Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide and Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide: A Resource for Educators and Communicators
8.14 References
Annex 8-1 Schedule A Diseases from the Food and Drugs Act
Annex 8-2 Policy Respecting the Use of Heart Symbols and Heart Health Claims on Food Labels and in Food Advertisements
Annex 8-3 Eating Well with Canada's Food Guide
Annex 8-4 References
Chapter 9
Supplementary Information on Specific Products
9.1 Pre-packaged Meal Definition
9.2 Sweeteners and Sweetening Agents
9.3 Chocolate and Cocoa Products
9.4 Dairy Products: Milk and Milk Products
9.5 Fats and Oils
9.6 Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
9.7 Mineral Water, Spring Water and Bottled Water
9.8 Grain and Bakery Products
9.9 Foods for Special Dietary Use
9.10 Infant Foods and Infant Formulas
9.11 Beverages for Athletes, Isotonic
Chapter 10
Guide to the Labelling of Alcoholic Beverages
10.1 Alcoholic Beverages
10.2 Common Name
10.3 Net Quantity Declaration
10.4 Standardized Container Sizes
10.5 Alcohol by Volume Declaration
10.6 Name and Address of Dealer
10.7 Origin Claims
10.8 List of Ingredients
10.9 Durable Life Date
10.10 Vignettes
10.11 Age Claims
10.12 Nutrition Labelling
10.13 Dry
10.14 Light
10.15 Addresses of Provincial and Territorial Liquor Boards
Chapter 11
Labelling Guide for Processed Fruits and Vegetables
Introduction
11.1 Common Name
11.2 Net Quantity Declaration
11.3 Grade
11.4 Size Grade
11.5 Name and Address
11.6 Country of Origin
11.7 Registration Number
11.8 Production Code
11.9 List of Ingredients
11.10 Nutrition Labelling
11.11 Nutrient Content Claims and Diet-Related Health Claims
11.12 Special Label Wording
11.13 Shipping Containers
11.14 Registration or Approval of Labels
Chapter 12
Guide to the Labelling of Honey
12.1 Common Name
12.2 Net Quantity Declaration
12.3 Honey: Grade
12.4 Honey: Colour
12.5 Other Required Markings
12.6 Name and Address
12.7 Country of Origin
12.8 List of Ingredients
12.9 Nutrition Labelling
12.10 Nutrient Content Claims
12.11 Exemptions for Products for Export
12.12 Labelling Requirements for Packages and Bulk Containers of Honey (subject to the Honey Regulations)
Chapter 13
Guide to the Labelling of Maple Products
Import and Interprovincial Trade
13.1 Common Name
13.2 Net Quantity Declaration
13.3 Maple Syrup Grade
13.4 Maple Syrup Colour
13.5 Name and Address
13.6 Registration Number
13.7 Country of Origin
13.8 Standard Container Sizes for Maple Syrup and Maple Sugar
13.9 Nutrition Labelling
13.10 Nutrient Content Claims and Diet Related Health Claims
13.11 Labelling of Shipping Containers and Bulk Containers
13.12 Export
13.13 Substitutes
13.14 Exemptions for Non-Commercial Shipments
13.15 Information on the Absence or Non-Addition of Non-Permitted Ingredients or Chemicals
13.16 Maple Syrup with Nutrients Added
Chapter 14
Meat and Poultry Products
14.1 Simulated Meat and Simulated Poultry Products
14.2 Meat and Poultry Product Extenders
14.3 Extended Meat and Poultry Products
14.4 Meat Products and Poultry Meat Products that Contain Phosphate Salts and/or Water
14.5 Compliance Policy for Protein Standards of Meat and Poultry Products Containing Phosphate Salts and / or Water
Chapter 15
Fish and Fish Products
15.1 Fish Labelling Reference Documents
15.2 Common Name
15.3 Net Quantity
15.4 Grade, Size, Class, Count, Moisture Content
15.5 Quality Designations
15.6 Country of Origin
15.7 Use of the "Canada Inspected" logo
15.8 Molluscan Shellfish
15.9 Other Mandatory Information
15.10 Code Markings
15.11 Nutrition Labelling
15.12 Nutrient Content Claims and Diet-Related Health Claims
15.13 Labels on Shipping Containers
Glossary
 
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