How to Create Health Canada Compliant Food Labels
When entering the Canadian market, designing your food labels correctly is not just important—it’s critical. The Canadian food labelling landscape is complex and unforgiving, with stringent requirements that can make or break your product’s success. Quality Smart Solutions (QSS) can get your labels compliant so you can successfully start selling in Canada effortlessly.
4 Things You Need To Know
Before you start designing your packaging, there are four key Canadian food labelling requirements that you need to understand: bilingual labelling, nutrition and health claims, location and legibility requirements, and the new front-of-pack nutrition symbol. Ignoring or misunderstanding these can lead to costly redesigns and delays in bringing your product to market.
1. Canadian Bilingual Requirements
In Canada, all mandatory information on a food label must be presented in both official languages—French and English. This is not a mere formality; it’s a legal requirement that applies across the country. If you plan to sell your product in Quebec or through Canada’s national retailers, every piece of information on your packaging must be in French, with French given equal prominence to English.
For many U.S. brands, this requirement can come as a shock, often necessitating a significant increase in label text. Without careful planning and design, this can clutter your packaging and disrupt your brand’s communication hierarchy, potentially harming your product’s appeal.
2. Nutrition and Health Claims
Canada’s health and nutrition claims are subject to meticulous and aggressive standards set by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Claims about your product’s origin, content, quality, and the absence of allergens must be carefully vetted against Canadian regulations.
Common claims like “Source of Protein” or “No Sugar Added” that are widely used in the U.S. may not be permitted on Canadian food labels. Failing to comply with these standards can lead to your product being pulled from shelves or, worse, legal action.
3. Location and Legibility
Canadian regulations prescribe exactly where information must appear on your packaging and how legible it must be. This includes specific minimum type sizes for mandatory information such as net weight, ingredients, common name, dealer name and address, and any claims.
These requirements are not merely suggestions—they are enforced rigorously. Getting this wrong could lead to costly reprints or delays in your product launch.
4. New Canadian Front-of-Pack (FOP) Nutrition Labelling
Starting January 1, 2026, Canada will require a new front-of-pack nutrition symbol on products containing 15% DV or more of saturated fat, sugar, or sodium. This is a significant new requirement that could impact your product’s shelf appeal and consumer perception.
Understanding and correctly applying this new symbol will be crucial for any brand looking to enter or expand in the Canadian market.
QSS is Your Essential Partner in Canadian Food Labelling Compliance
Canadian food labelling laws can feel like a non-tariff barrier for many U.S. companies, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. However, when executed correctly, these regulations can become a competitive advantage, showcasing your brand’s commitment to transparency and consumer trust.
QSS brings decades of experience in helping brands navigate these complexities. We ensure that your packaging not only meets Canadian regulatory requirements but also resonates with Canadian consumers. Our expertise in both compliance and design means that your product will stand out for all the right reasons.
If you have questions about Canadian food labelling, package design, or navigating the Canadian market, QSS is here to help.
