Nutrition Symbol: Purpose, exemptions & requiements

Purpose, scope, and exemptions

To help consumers make quick and informed choices, the regulation now requires that certain foods high in saturated fats, sugars, and/or sodium display a nutrition symbol on the front of the packaging.

Products that are affected

• Products that meet or exceed the thresholds for saturated fats, sugars, and/or sodium must display the nutrition symbol, unless they are exempt.

• Not all products will need to display the symbol — if a product is below the thresholds or qualifies for an exemption, it is not required to show the symbol.

What types of products are exempt?

Examples of exempted products include:

• Foods already exempt from the Nutrition Facts Table

• Foods with a protective effect on health and no added sodium, sugars, or saturated fats

• Certain dairy products that are significant sources of calcium

• Raw ground meats and poultry made from a single ingredient

• Foods that are obvious sources of saturated fats, sugars, and/or sodium

Requirements and their impact

The regulation includes strict requirements for the symbol’s size, color, and placement, ensuring consistency and visibility across all packaging.

It also impacts product claims:

• Health-related claims are not allowed when the nutrient appears in the symbol, unless it's a “Reduced in...” claim.

• Claims for other nutrients must comply with new character height limitations to avoid drawing disproportionate attention.

These visual and textual adjustments must be considered to ensure overall compliance and preserve brand messaging.

Impact of this regulation on other departments

By involving these teams upfront, businesses can streamline the transition and avoid costly surprises down the line. The implementation of front-of-package nutrition labeling is not limited to regulatory affairs — it requires a collaborative effort across several departments:

• R&D can consider nutrient thresholds early in product development to avoid late-stage reformulations.

• Marketing needs to account for the symbol’s placement and visual impact when designing or updating packaging.

• Purchasing plays a crucial role in sourcing compliant packaging and coordinating timelines to reduce waste and delays.

Effective date of the regulation

The new front-of-package nutrition labeling regulation will come into effect on January 1, 2026. As of that date, all foods manufactured or imported into Canada must display the new nutrition symbol if they meet or exceed the thresholds for saturated fat, sugar, and/or sodium, unless they are exempt.

To avoid operational delays, businesses are strongly encouraged to begin reviewing and updating their packaging now. Depending on your strategy, you may choose to reformulate products to remain below the threshold and avoid the symbol, or adjust packaging designs to ensure full compliance with the new requirements. In both cases, proactive planning is key to a smooth and timely transition.

How Datahex can help

At Datahex, our food labeling compliance team helps you navigate Health Canada’s front-of-package labeling requirements. From assessing exemptions to updating labels and claims, we ensure your packaging is compliant, clear, and ready for 2026. We also offer training sessions to help your team understand and apply the new regulations with confidence.