January 1, 2026, deadline for Front-of-package (FOP) labelling
You must comply with FOP labelling requirements by the deadline. There will be no enforcement discretion after January 1, 2026. For non-compliances identified during inspections, regulated parties will be given time to make corrections as established in the timeframe to complete corrective actions that correspond to the severity of the non-compliance according to the Standard Inspection Process (SIP).
Introduction
On July 20, 2022, Health Canada published amendments to the Food and Drug Regulations (Nutrition Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Vitamin D and Hydrogenated Fats or Oils) in Canada Gazette Part II (CGII). See Summary of amendments published in the Canada Gazette, Part II: Nutrition symbols, other labelling provisions, vitamin D and hydrogenated fats or oils for more information. The transition period for these amendments ended on December 31, 2025.
This update provides information on CFIA's compliance and enforcement approach after December 31, 2025.
Compliance and enforcement after December 31, 2025
Effective January 1, 2026, all food labels must fully comply with the FOP labelling requirements. CFIA inspection activities will monitor compliance with the FOP labelling requirements. Information presented in accordance with the former requirements will no longer be compliant.
However, products that were imported, manufactured in Canada, or packaged at retail before that date can still be sold and remain on store shelves. Products imported, manufactured in Canada, or packaged at retail on or after January 1, 2026, will be subject to the standard regulatory response process.
Following the end of the transition period, any identified non-compliance will be addressed through the Standard Regulatory Response Process, as with any labelling issue. Regulated parties will be given time to make corrections as established in the timeframe to complete corrective actions that correspond to the severity of the non-compliance.
Enquiries
For all food labelling questions, including those related to the FOP requirements, the primary resource is the Industry Labelling Tool. In addition, Health Canada has published the Front-of-package nutrition symbol labelling guide for industry to explain the requirements to external stakeholders.
Health Canada will continue to respond to enquiries on the FOP labelling requirements and their intent until June 30, 2026. These enquiries can be sent to nut.labelling-etiquetage@hc-sc.gc.ca. The CFIA will address enquiries related to compliance and enforcement. These can be submitted to a CFIA local office.
Related links
- Summary of amendments published in Canada Gazette, Part II: Nutrition symbols, other labelling provisions, partially hydrogenated oils and vitamin D
- Front-of-package nutrition labelling
- Nutrition Labelling – Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims
- Nutrition Labelling – Directory of Nutrition Symbol Specifications
- Notice to industry – Compliance and enforcement approach for front-of-package nutrition labelling effective January 1, 2026