Labelling, standards of identity and grades
The food label is one of the most important and direct means of communicating product information between buyers and sellers. It is one of the primary means by which consumers differentiate between individual foods and brands to make informed purchasing choices.
Information on labelling, standards of identity and grades
Safe Food for Canadians Regulations
The Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) set out the requirements for all foods that are imported, exported and inter-provincially traded. Some traceability, labelling and advertising provisions also apply to intra-provincially traded foods. Requirements of standards of identity and grades have been included in documents incorporated by reference.
Companies must adhere to requirements under the Food and Drugs Act (FDA) and Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) in addition to those under the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA) and SFCR.
The information below outlines the main changes to labelling, standards of identity and grade requirements under the SFCR.
- Definition of "prepackaged" and "consumer prepackaged"
- Preventive control plan (PCP) content for consumer protection
Provides information on the content of a PCP related to consumer protection, such as the measures for ensuring labelling, standards and grades requirements are met. - Traceability-specific labelling requirements
- Ministerial exemptions
Exemptions for the purpose of selling test market food and to alleviate a shortage of food in Canada. - Trade of fresh fruits and vegetables
Food and Drug Regulations - updates
- Implementation plan for amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (Supplemented Foods)
- Implementation plan for amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Vitamin D and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils)
- Implementation plan for amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations related to nutrition labelling, list of ingredients and food colours
Food labelling coordination
- Food labelling coordination
- Joint policy statement
- Consultation on Proposed Joint Policy Statement on Food Labelling Coordination [closed April 3, 2021]
- Summary of comments received on the draft joint policy statement
Food Product Innovation
- Food Product Innovation regulatory changes
- Food Product Innovation initiative
- Food Product Innovation: summary of changes
Notice to industry
- Use of national symbols on food labels
2023-12-06 - Guidance for simulated meat and simulated poultry products has been updated
2023-10-05 - Your regulatory responsibilities regarding caffeinated energy drinks
2023-08-15 - Changes to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 2 – Fresh Fruit or Vegetables
2023-07-07 - Changes to the Canadian Grade Compendium: Volume 9 – Import Grade Requirements
2023-06-21 - Implementation for Health Canada's new guidance for novel food regulations focused on plant breeding
2022-05-18 - Reminder: Expiry on February 28, 2022 of Notice on Information regarding certain labelling and packaging requirements for certain pre-packaged foods due to extreme flooding in British Columbia
2022-02-28 - Update on compliance timelines for the use of food additives in certain ready-to-eat meat products
2022-01-27 - Updated – Information regarding certain labelling and packaging requirements for certain pre-packaged foods due to extreme flooding in British Columbia
2021-12-23 - Compliance timelines for the use of food additives in certain ready-to-eat meat products
2021-11-09 - The use of food additives in certain ready-to-eat meat products
2021-02-11 - Implementation of the 2016 nutrition labelling regulatory amendments
2021-02-03 - Temporary suspension of certain labelling requirements for foodservice products due to COVID-19
2020-04-06 - Authenticity of honey in the Canadian marketplace
2019-07-09 - Final publication of regulatory changes to Canada's vodka compositional standard
2019-06-26 - New Test Market Authorizations process
2019-06-21 - Pre-publication of regulatory changes for Food Labelling Modernization
2019-06-21 - Final publication of regulatory changes to Canada's beer compositional standards
2019-05-01 - Use of natamycin in cheese production
2018-09-19 - Update on the Blended in Canada wine labelling consultation
2018-03-12 - Blended wine labelling consultation
2017-06-01 - Interim measure for TMA requests for food additives use in processed products
2017-03-13 - Reminder: Amended maple syrup grading and classification now in force
2016-12-21 - Enforcement of new halal labelling and advertising requirements
2016-03-09 - Web-based Industry Labelling Tool supports label compliance across the food sector
2015-03-18 - Government of Canada improves labelling of halal food products
2014-04-23
Additional information
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