Introduction
Health Canada published amendments to nutrition labelling, list of ingredients and food colour requirements of the Food and Drug Regulations (regulations) in Canada Gazette Part II on December 14, 2016. The transition period for these amendments ended on December 14, 2021.
For the first year following end of transition, given the challenges imposed by COVID-19 on the food industry, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) focused its efforts on education and compliance promotion (until December 14, 2022). After that date, the CFIA verified compliance and applied enforcement discretion in cases of non-compliance when regulated parties had a detailed plan to comply by December 14, 2023.
This notice provides information on CFIA's compliance and enforcement approach after December 14, 2023.
Compliance and enforcement after December 14, 2023
Information presented in accordance with the former requirements is no longer compliant. All regulated parties must comply with the new labelling requirements.
CFIA inspection activities will be monitoring compliance with the new labelling requirements for prepackaged products imported, manufactured in Canada or packaged at retail.
Please note that products imported, manufactured in Canada or packaged at retail before December 14, 2022 (or a date established in a third party's detailed plan provided to CFIA between December 14, 2022 and December 14, 2023), can remain in the warehouse and continue to be sold on store shelves.
Enquiries
For all food labelling questions, including those related to the new requirements, the primary resource will be the Industry Labelling Tool. Any additional questions can be directed to Ask CFIA.
Implementation timeline summary
Image description for implementation timeline summary
December 14, 2016 to December 14, 2021
- Transition period
- New or old labels valid
- CFIA focus on education and compliance promotion
December 15, 2021 to December 14, 2022
- Transition period has ended
- Former regulations are no longer in effect
- New labelling requirements apply
- CFIA will continue to focus on education and compliance promotion
December 15, 2022 to December 14, 2023
- Regulated parties must comply with new labelling requirements or have a detailed plan to be compliant by (or before) December 14, 2023
After December 14, 2023
- Regulated parties must comply with new labelling requirements