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Requirements for making a nutrient content claim

All aspects of food labels and advertisements are considered in the overall impression attributed to food products. Nutrient content claims that appear on food labels or advertisements contribute toward this overall impression. For this reason, nutrient content claims must comply with the general principles for labelling and advertising.

The Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) generally prohibit, in labelling or advertising, express or implied representations that characterize the energy value of a food or the amount of nutrient contained in the food [B.01.502(1), FDR]. In other words, it is not permissible to make a nutrient content claim. However, these regulations also provide the following exceptions to this overall rule:

Exceptions

The Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims, incorporated by reference into the FDR, sets out specific claims that are permitted provided the corresponding conditions are met [B.01.503, FDR]. More information on these claims can be found in Making a nutrient content claim and Specific nutrient content claim requirements.

Permitted nutrient content claims with respect to vitamins and minerals are regulated by Part D of the FDR and are not covered in the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims. For more information on the conditions for making these claims, please refer to  Vitamin and mineral nutrient claims.

Some quantitative declarations outside the Nutrition Facts table are permitted, with certain associated conditions [B.01.301, FDR]. Further information is available in the appropriate section.

Statements with respect to proteins may also be permitted provided the food meets certain conditions [B.01.305, FDR]. Please refer to Protein claims for further information.

Other cases in which nutrient content claims may be permissible are:

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