Front-of-Package Labelling in Canada: New Regulations
Nutrition label law offers design opportunities.
Foods high in sodium, sugars, and saturated fats are subject to new front-of-package nutrition labelling regulations by January 1, 2026.
Why the New Front-of-Package Labelling Regulations Matter
The new label will sit on the front of the package and claim the real estate where branding, marketing, product news, or features is often displayed.
The new regulation will require a more rigorous package and production adaptation than a Nutritional Fact Table (NFT) change.
Branding, marketing, news, and features must move to another area of the package.
This is an opportunity to reconsider food product branding and package design.
The Big Picture
Regulation Timing
Health Canada introduced this regulation in July 2022. They have provided a Front-of-package nutrition labelling backgrounder and Front-of-package nutrition symbol labelling guide for industry.
"We're improving food labels. A front-of-package nutrition symbol is required on foods that are high in one or more of these nutrients: sodium, sugars, saturated fat. The food industry has been given until January 1, 2026 to make this change. However, you may start seeing the front-of-package nutrition symbol earlier."
NFT versus FOP
Food brands in Canada are familiar with regulatory updates to the NFT. But because of where it sits, the front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol has a greater impact on package design. The new label may take away from the package artwork and information.
Implementing FOP
These drawings are not intended to replace Health Canada's Front-of-package nutrition symbol labelling guide for industry.
The Bottom Line
During our work for clients, we have seen package design and re-design result in double-digit growth. And it's a well-known statistic from a 2018 report from McKinsey & Co. that businesses that embrace design generate 32% more revenue and 56% more shareholder returns.[i]
While planning for your food brand's FOP regulatory adaptation work, consider brand, product, and package design changes, too. It's the perfect time to do so.
The experts at Invok Brands wrote this article to guide you through these regulations and see the possibilities to improve your branding and/or package design.
Read our short insights each month about front-of-package labelling in Canada.