Specific nutrient content claim requirements

Specific requirements for making nutrient content claims exist for many nutrients, as well as for vitamins and minerals. This section discusses those requirements, as outlined in the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims (the Table), incorporated by reference into the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR), and sections D.01.004 and D.02.002 of the FDR.

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How to use the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims

The Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims (the Table), incorporated by reference into the FDR, sets out the conditions for making nutrient content statements and claims that are permitted on foods sold in Canada. For the purpose of the guidance in this section, we will refer to the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims as "the Table".

Each nutrient related "statements and claims" section in the Table is split into 5 columns as shown in the example table below.

A. Energy related statements and claims
Item Column 1
Subject		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
Statement or claim
1 Free of energy The food provides less than 5 Calories or 21 kilojoules per reference amount and serving of stated size. N/A "energy-free", "free of energy", "no energy", "0 energy", "zero energy", "without energy", "contains no energy", "Calorie-free", "free of Calories", "no Calories", "0 Calories", "zero Calories", "without Calories" or "contains no Calories"

Column 1: "Subject" - lists the permitted claim.

Column 2: "Conditions - Food" - specifies the compositional criteria required of foods making a claim set out in column 1.

In this case, it specifies that foods making one of the listed Free of energy claims must provide less than 5 Calories or 21 kilojoules per reference amount and serving of stated size.

The compositional criteria is based on the reference amount found in the Table of Reference Amounts for Food and/or serving of stated size of a food or supplemented food.

Column 3: "Conditions - Label or advertisement" - sets out any labelling or advertising requirements for products making claims permitted in column 1.

Column 3, in this case, does not set out any specific labelling requirements for the claim Free of energy. However, it should be noted that the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement apply.

Column 4: "Statement or claim" - lists the claims that are permitted to describe a food as "Free of energy"

Only the claims indicated in quotations may be used and they must be worded exactly as written. Where there are a number of claims in quotes, any of them can be used.

General conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement

In addition to the specific labelling or advertising requirements stated in Column 3 of the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims (the Table), the following general rules apply for products making a claim:

The section on Comparative nutrient content claims provides more information on the conditions for use of comparative nutrient content claims.

Claim categories

The following section is divided by nutrient category, similar to the Table. Each nutrient category discusses the specific claim requirements, outlines additional permitted statements and claims that are not listed in the Table, and includes a link to the corresponding claim in the Table.

Energy and calorie claims

This section deals with implied and explicit energy claims.

The permitted energy related statements and claims and their respective conditions can be found under A. Energy Related Statements and Claims in the Table.

Permitted "light" claims related to energy content are listed in section G. Light (in Energy or Fat) and Lean Related Statements and Claims. For more information refer to "Light" claims.

Superlative claims for energy

Consuming a diet high in Calories does not guarantee that one will have lots of "pep" and "energy". Many factors, including the state of a person's health and physical fitness, impact upon how effectively and efficiently the muscles use the energy. The popular concept of "energy", for example, in the sense of being energetic, having pep, vigour, strength or endurance is not directly related to specific foods in the diet.

The text accompanying claims such as "source of energy" and "contains more calories" (and synonymous claims) must not mislead the buyer. The following types of claims are considered misleading and must not be used:

  • a claim that a food provides "instant" pep, vitality, vigour, power or strength
  • a claim that a food provides all the food energy necessary to carry one through certain physical activities or recovery from these
  • a claim that a food provides all the energy necessary to carry one through until the next meal, or
  • a claim that a food, consisting mainly of carbohydrates, provides food energy which lasts over many hours of hard work or play

The following table summarizes additional permitted energy claims and their respective conditions that are not included under section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims in the Table.

Summary table of additional permitted energy claims
Column 1
Claim		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
FDR reference
Representation that the food is for use in "energy-reduced" diet with respect to only the energy value of a food The food meets the conditions set out in column 2 for one of the following subjects in section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims:
Free of energy (item 1),
Low in energy (item 2),
Reduced in energy (item 3),
Lower in energy (item 4)

Claim or statement is made in accordance with column 3 for items 1, 2, 3 or 4 of section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims.

Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement

 B.01.507
Representation that the food is "for special dietary use" with respect to the energy value of the food One of the following subjects in section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims must be made on the label of the product and the conditions for that claim must be respected:
Free of energy (item 1),
Low in energy (item 2)		 Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.24.003(1.1)
Food represented as "dietetic" or "diet" with respect to the energy content of the food, including when used in a trademark Reserved for foods for special dietary use as regulated by B.24.003. In order to label, package, sell or advertise a food as "dietetic" or "diet", or use those words in the brand name, one of the following subjects in section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims must be on the label and the conditions for that claim must be met:
Free of energy (item 1),
Low in energy (item 2),
Reduced in energy (item 3),
Lower in energy (item 4)

Claim or statement is made in accordance with column 3 for items 1, 2, 3 or 4 of section A. Energy Related Statements and Claims.

Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement

 B.24.003(4)

Protein claims

The permitted protein related statements and claims and their respective conditions can be found under section B. Protein Related Statements and Claims in the Table.

A statement or claim about proteins is permitted provided the food or supplemented food meets the conditions for "source of protein" claim in the Table [B.01.305(1), FDR]. For this claim to be acceptable, a reasonable daily intake of the food must have a protein rating of:

For example, the claim "made with soy protein" is acceptable provided the food or the supplemented food meets the conditions for "source of protein".

For information and examples on calculating the protein rating, please refer to Protein under the Elements within the NFt section or to Amino acid claims for supplemented foods in the Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Foods Regulations.

Only the following protein claims may be used on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age [B.01.503(2)(a), (b) and (c), FDR]:

  • Source of protein
  • Excellent source of protein
  • More protein

For more information, refer to Nutrient content claims on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age.

Amino acids

Nutrient content claims such as "source of amino acids", "source of (naming the amino acid)" or "source of essential amino acids" are not permitted under the nutrition labelling regulations [B.01.305(2), FDR].

However, other types of statements with respect to amino acids, such as quantitative declarations outside the Nutrition Facts table of amino acid content of a food may be made provided:

  • the food meets the conditions for a "source of protein" claim [B.01.305(2)(a), FDR]
  • the label or the advertisement includes a declaration of the amount of the following essential amino acids contained in the food: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan and valine [B.01.305(2)(b), FDR]
  • the declaration is expressed in grams per serving of stated size [B.01.305(2)(b), FDR]
  • the declaration is not in the NFt [B.01.401(1), B.01.402(1), FDR], and
  • the declaration is presented in both English and French unless otherwise exempted [B.01.305(4), FDR]

Exceptions

The above requirements respecting representations about protein or amino acids, whether expressed or implied, do not apply to the following [B.01.305(2) and (3)(a) to (k), FDR]:

  • a formulated liquid diet, a human milk fortifier, an infant formula or a food represented as containing infant formula
  • foods represented for use in gluten-free diets, protein-restricted diets, low (naming the amino acid) diets and (naming the amino acid) free diets
  • the word "protein" when it is used as part of the common name of an ingredient in the list of ingredients
  • the declaration of amino acids in a list of ingredients
  • common names (such as hydrolyzed soya protein), which are set out in column 2 of items 7 to 9 in Table 1 of the Common Names for Ingredients and Components document, when shown in the list of ingredients
  • the common name of single amino acid preparations that may be sold as foods
  • a phenylalanine statement referred to in subsection B.16.016(1) of the FDR
  • a statement or claim set out in column 4 of item 7 under section B. Protein Related Statements and Claims of the Table, respecting the subject Low in protein set out in column 1
  • a representation respecting the amino acid content of a supplemented food as outlined in Amino acid claims for supplemented foods in the Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Food Regulations
  • a declaration of the amount of protein in the NFt or Supplemented Food Facts table, as the case may be
  • a statement of the protein content of foods mentioned in the following sections of the FDR:
    • formulated liquid diet [B.24.103(c), FDR]
    • meal replacement, nutritional supplement [B.24.202(a)(ii), FDR]
    • food for use in a very low energy diet [B.24.304(b), FDR], or
    • infant formula and food represented as containing infant formula [B.25.057(1)(a) or B.25.057(2)(c)(i) or (d)(i), FDR], and
  • a statement that a food is not a source of protein

"Complete protein"

The claim "Complete protein" can be used in some cases to describe the characteristic of a protein, that is, that all essential amino acids are included. The claim "Complete protein" on a food label or advertisement is considered to be an implied nutrient content claim about protein. Under the FDR, subsection B.01.305(1) states: "No person shall, on the label of or in any advertisement for a food, make a representation, express or implied, respecting a protein unless the food meets the conditions set out in column 2 of item 8 of the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims for the subject "source of protein" set out in column 1." If the term "complete protein" is used, it must be in conjunction with and meet the requirements of a "source of protein" claim. There must be no intervening material to alter the "source of protein" claim wording.

Furthermore, subsection B.01.511(4) of the FDR states: "Any words, numbers, signs or symbols preceding or following the statement or claim referred to in subsection (3) shall accompany the statement or claim in such a manner that the statement or claim characterizes all foods of that type, and not only the specific food." Therefore, the claim "complete protein" cannot give the impression that this is a quality specific to the food in question; it should indicate that it is a quality of all foods of similar type. For example, a specific meat product should not imply that only that meat product is a complete protein when it is a quality of all meat.

"High quality protein"

The claim "high quality protein" is not permitted on a label or advertisement since it is not one of the acceptable claims listed section B. Protein Related Statements and Claims of the Table. The claim could also imply that the protein in question is of better quality than other proteins which may have the same characteristics and/or protein rating.

Other permitted references to protein

The percent (%) meat protein declaration is required as part of the common name for meat and poultry meat with added phosphate salts and/or water. This declaration is a permitted protein declaration. However, the presence of this declaration triggers the NFt on foods otherwise exempt, such as a food sold only in the retail establishment where the product is prepared and processed from its ingredients [B.01.090(2), B.01.401(3)(e)(ii), B.01.502(2)(a), FDR].

Fat claims

The permitted fat, fatty acids, and cholesterol related statements and claims and their respective conditions can be found in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

The following references are permitted:

  • common names prescribed by the Canadian Food Compositional Standards (CFCS) document, for example, "skim milk" and "low fat cocoa"
  • the percent milk fat or butter fat declaration on dairy products
  • the words "extra-lean ground (naming the species)", "lean ground (naming the species)", "medium ground (naming the species)", and "regular ground (naming the species)"
  • the representation "defatted (naming the food)", for example, "defatted cocoa" or "defatted soybeans"
  • representations that characterize the amount of a fatty acid in a vegetable oil, when the name of the fatty acid forms part of the oil's common name, for example, "high oleic sunflower oil" or "low linolenic flaxseed oil", and
  • the English representation "lean" with respect to a prepackaged meal represented for use in a weight-reduction diet or a weight-management diet

Permitted "light" and "lean" claims related to fat content are listed in section G. Light (in Energy or Fat) and Lean Related Statements and Claims. For more information refer to "Light" claims and "Lean" claims.

For examples on identifying the validity of a fat claim, please refer to Nutrient content claim examples.

Saturated fatty acid claims

The conditions for saturated fatty acid claims are linked with the trans fatty acid content of the food.

Only the saturated fatty acid claims listed in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims of the Table are permitted.

Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol and saturated fatty acid claims

Only the "reduced in saturated fatty acids" claim is permitted on the PDP of a prepackaged product when it carries a nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sat fat". All other nutrient content claims related to saturated fat, as set out in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims of the Table, are prohibited on the PDP of a food that carries an FOP nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sat fat" [B.01.503(1.1)(a), FDR].

For more information, refer to Making a nutrient content claim on food labels and Nutrient and health-related claims and the front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol.

Trans fatty acid claims

The conditions for trans fatty acid claims are linked with the content of saturated fatty acids.

Only the trans fatty acid claims listed in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims of the Table are permitted. Claims such as "Low in trans" are not permitted.

Omega-3 and omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid claims

Nutrient content claims are not permitted for total polyunsaturates or monounsaturates, nor may claims be made about individual fatty acids such as linoleic acid. Only the claims listed in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims for the subjects Source of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (item 25) and Source of omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids (item 26) may be made. However, quantitative statements for fatty acids are permitted, such as "5 g of polyunsaturated fatty acids per serving of 100 g".

The use of quantitative statements may trigger a NFt on the label of a food exempt under B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR. Refer to Information triggered by quantitative statements for more information.

Use of quantitative statements may also trigger a SFFt on the label of a SF exempt under B.29.018(1), FDR. Refer to Small package exemption in the Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Foods Regulations for more information.

Cholesterol claims

Cholesterol claims are linked with the trans fatty acid content and the saturated fatty acid content of foods. Only the claims listed in section C. Fat, Fatty Acids, and Cholesterol Related Statements and Claims of the Table are permitted.

Sodium (salt) claims

The permitted sodium/salt claims and their respective conditions can be found in section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

Only the No added sodium or salt claim may be used on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age [B.01.503(2)(d), FDR]. For more information, refer to Nutrient content claims on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age.

Note: the claim "very low sodium" or synonymous claims are not permitted on foods sold in Canada.

Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol and sodium/salt claims

Only the Reduced in sodium or salt claim is permitted on the PDP of a prepackaged product when it carries a nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sodium". All other nutrient content claims related to sodium/salt, as set out in section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims of the Table, are prohibited on the PDP of a food that carries an FOP nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sodium" [B.01.503(1.1)(b), FDR].

For more information, refer to Making a nutrient content claim on food labels and Nutrient and health-related claims and the front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol.

Salted

Reference to the addition of salt to a food is not considered to be a nutrient content claim. The word "salted", or a synonymous term, used to indicate that salt has been added (either as part of the common name or as a separate claim, for example, "extra salt", "salt water taffy", "salt cod", "salted peanuts"), does not trigger the declaration of the NFt for foods exempted by subsection B.01.401(2) of the FDR. Similarly, the representation "light salted" can be made on fish without triggering the NFt on exempted foods.

In addition, a reference to a "salty taste" is considered a taste claim and does not trigger the NFt on foods otherwise exempted under subsection B.01.401(2) of the FDR.

Ingredients that functionally substitute for salt

The No added sodium or salt claim outlined in item 35 of section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims of the Table specifies that the food contains "no added salt, other sodium salts or ingredients that contain sodium that functionally substitute for added salt". These include ingredients which give a salty taste to foods such as hydrolyzed vegetable proteins, soy sauce, bouillon powder or cubes, soup mix.

Specific requirements related to sodium claims on bottled water can be found in the appropriate section.

In addition to the claims outlined in section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statement and Claims of the Table, the following sodium statements are also permitted:

Summary table of additional permitted sodium claims
Column 1
Claim		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
FDR reference
Words to the effect that the food is "for use in a sodium-restricted diet" The food meets the conditions set out for one of the following subjects in section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims:
Free of sodium or salt (item 31),
Low in sodium or salt (item 32),
Reduced in sodium or salt (item 33), or
Lower in sodium or salt (item 34).

Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement.

In addition, for Reduced in sodium or salt and Lower in sodium or salt claims: Claim or statement is made in accordance with column 3 for items 33 or 34 of the Table.

 B.01.508(1), section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims, items 31 to 34
Words to the effect that the food is "for special dietary use" with respect to the sodium (salt) content The food meets the condition set out for one of the following subjects in section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims:
Free of sodium or salt (item 31),
Low in sodium or salt (item 32).		 Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.24.003(1.1)(c) and (d), section D. Sodium/Salt Related Statements and Claims, items 31 and 32

Potassium claims

The Summary table of potassium claims below provides the permitted claims and their associated conditions.

Summary table of potassium claims
Column 1
Claim		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
FDR reference

a) "source of potassium"
"contains potassium"

At least 170 mg per serving of stated size

NFt required on products that are usually exempted by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR [B.01.401(3)(e)(ii), FDR].

SFFt required on supplemented foods in small packages exempted by B.29.018(1) of the FDR [B.29.018(2)(b)(ii), FDR].

B.01.401(3)(e)(i)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

b) "good source of potassium"
"high in potassium"

At least 340 mg per serving of stated size

See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) of this table.

B.01.401(3)(e)(i)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

c) "excellent source of potassium"
"very high in potassium"

At least 510 mg per serving of stated size

See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) of this table.

B.01.401(3)(e)(i)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

Carbohydrate and sugars claims

The permitted sugars related statements and claims and their respective conditions can be found in section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims of the Table. Claims for carbohydrate and sugars content are restricted to those permitted in the Table. Claims such as "source of complex carbohydrates", "low carbohydrate", and "light" claims referring to the carbohydrate or sugar content of a food are not permitted.

Only the No added sugar claim may be used on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age [B.01.503(2)(e), FDR]. For more information, refer to Nutrient content claims on food intended solely for children under 4 years of age.

Claims related to "free of sugar" will not trigger the declaration of a SFFt on supplemented foods in small packages less than 100 cm2[B.29.018(3), FDR]. For more information, refer to Small package exemption in the Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Foods Regulations.

Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol and sugars claims

Only the Reduced in sugars claim is permitted on the PDP of a prepackaged product when it carries a nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sugars". All other nutrient content claims related to sugars, as set out in section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims, are prohibited on the PDP of a food that carries an FOP nutrition symbol to identify the food as "high in sugars" [B.01.503(1.1)(c), FDR].

For more information, refer to Making a nutrient content claim on food labels and Nutrient and health-related claims and the front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbol.

Other permitted representations [B.01.502(2), FDR]

In addition to the claims permitted in the Table, representations with respect to sugars and carbohydrates may also be made as follows:

  • representations otherwise provided for in the CFCS are permitted, such as prescribed common names like "semi-sweet", "bitter-sweet", "sweetened and unsweetened chocolate" and "sweetened condensed milk"
  • representations provided for under section 273 of the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations and Table 5 of the Descriptive Words, Expressions and Identification Names for Specific Foods document are permitted. This provision requires the indication of the type of syrup or juice in which various fruits and sweet potatoes are packed (such as heavy syrup, slightly sweetened fruit juice)
  • representations characterizing the amount of lactose in a food are permitted. These are not considered to be nutrient content claims
  • representations characterizing the addition of sugars to a food, such as "sweetened ice tea", "sweetened with honey", "sweetened with fruit juice", "X% sugar added", and "dextrose or glucose added" are permitted, in addition to the statements or claims prescribed by the nutrition labelling regulations
  • representations characterizing the amount of starch in a food, such as "no added starch", are permitted for Foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age
  • the representation "high (naming the mono- or disaccharide) (naming the syrup)" is permitted

Ingredients that functionally substitute for added sugars

Ingredients, such as sweetening agents, molasses, fruit juice, honey and maple syrup, give a sweet taste to foods. These foods do not meet the prescribed requirements for the No added sugars claim. See item 40 in section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

The information letter Criteria for the nutrient content claim no added sugars provides further information.

Addition of sugar alcohols

A positive statement such as "sweetened with sorbitol" is acceptable on the label or in the advertisement in addition to the declaration of the amount in the NFt or in the SFFt. Refer to the section on sweeteners for more information on specific requirements.

Sweet taste

A claim referring specifically to a "sweet taste", such as "does not taste sweet", is considered to be a taste claim and does not trigger a NFt on foods otherwise exempted by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR.

The following table summarizes additional permitted claims and their respective conditions that are not included in section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims.

Summary table of additional permitted carbohydrate and sugars claims
Column 1
Claim		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
FDR reference
a) "unsweetened" 1) The food meets the conditions set out in column 2 for the subject No added sugars (item 40) in section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims
2) The food does not contain a sweetener set out in the List of permitted sweeteners		 Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.01.509(1)
b) Representation that the food is for use in an "energy-reduced" diet The food meets the conditions set out for the subject Free of sugars (item 37) of section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.01.507
c) Representation that a food is "for special dietary use" with respect to the sugar content The food meets the conditions set out for the subject Free of sugars (item 37) of section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)
B.24.003(1.1)(e)
d) "dietetic" or "diet" with respect to the sugars content of the food, including when used in the brand name. Reserved for foods for special dietary use as regulated by B.24.003.
The food meets the conditions set out for the subject Free of sugars (item 37) of section E. Sugars Related Statements and Claims		 Must meet the general conditions for use of claims on labels or in advertisement B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)
B.24.003(4)
e) Representation about the addition or non-addition of starch to a food The claim may only be made on foods intended solely for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age. The NFt must also comply with the conditions set out in B.01.403, FDR.
NFt must include the amount of starch expressed in grams per serving of stated size.
When used in an advertisement, must comply with the requirements for advertisements.		 B.01.403
B.01.402(4) table, item 13
B.01.502(2)(g)
f) Words that characterize the amount of lactose present in a food This is not a claim covered by the Regulations.
Note: a food claiming to be lactose-free should contain no detectable lactose.

NFt required on products otherwise exempted by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b), FDR.

SFFt required on supplemented foods in small packages exempted by B.29.018(1) of the FDR.

B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)
g) "sweetened",
or
other claims characterizing the addition of sugars to the food, such as, "sweetened with honey", "sweetened with fruit juice"		 No compositional requirements

Dietary fibre claims

The permitted fibre related statements and claims and their respective conditions can be found in section F. Fibre Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

Note: the spelling "fibre" or "fiber" are both acceptable in the English statements or claims [B.01.503(4), FDR].

Comparative claims for dietary fibre may be made under the conditions described for More fibre claims in item 44 of section F. Fibre Related Statements and Claims. The claims are not restricted to fibre from the same source.

Nutrient content claims for dietary fibre may be made for foods which are considered to be sources of dietary fibre. Both naturally occurring and accepted novel fibre sources may be eligible for fibre claims. The terms "good" and "excellent", because they imply a judgment regarding the nature and value of the fibre in addition to quantity, are not permitted.

If a food contains a novel fibre source that has not been reviewed by Health Canada, or for which the data does not support the efficacy of the fibre, the amount of fibre contributed by this ingredient must not be included in the declaration of the dietary fibre content, and no fibre claims may be made for it.

Further information on dietary fibre, including links to Health Canada policies and list of accepted dietary fibres, can be found in dietary fibre under the Elements within the NFt section.

Fibre sources

Wheat bran: When the source of bran is not named, the term "bran" is considered a reference to wheat bran. Wheat bran contains approximately 42% dietary fibre.

Oat bran: Oat bran is the product derived from the dehulled oat kernels (oat groat) which provides, on a dry basis, a minimum content of 13% total dietary fibre, of which at least 30% must be soluble fibre. The moisture content of the product must not exceed 12%. A product may be represented as a source of oat bran, provided it contains at least 2 g dietary fibre derived from oat bran per reference amount and serving of stated size.

Milled corn bran: Traditionally, milled corn bran contains 60 to 65% dietary fibre. Products may be represented as sources of corn bran, provided the product contains at least 2 g dietary fibre from conventionally-milled corn bran.

Rice bran: No dietary fibre claims may be made for rice bran, which is considered a safe food ingredient but whose efficacy as a dietary fibre has not been established.

For an example on identifying the validity of a fibre claim, please refer to Nutrient content claim examples.

Vitamin and mineral nutrient claims

Vitamin and mineral claim requirements

On the label or advertisement for a food or a supplemented food, it is not permissible to make a statement or claim that characterizes the vitamin or mineral content of a food unless:

  • a daily value (DV) for the vitamin or mineral has been established [D.01.004(1)(a), D.02.002(1)(a), FDR]
  • a minimum of 5% of the DV per serving of stated size is present for the vitamin or mineral that is the subject of the claim [D.01.004(1)(b), D.02.002(1)(b), FDR]
  • the vitamin or mineral content is declared as a percentage of the daily value per serving of stated size [D.01.004(1)(c), D.02.002(1)(c), FDR]
    • Note: declaration of the vitamin or mineral content is not required when a claim is made for fresh vegetables or fruits without any added ingredients, an orange with added food colour, or a fresh vegetable or fruit coated with mineral oil, paraffin wax, petrolatum or any other protective coating. The use of a nutrient content claim, on the label or in an advertisement, does not trigger the NFt or any accompanying information [B.01.401(2)(c)(i), D.01.004(1.1), D.02.002(1.1), FDR]
  • the claim is one of the specific permitted exceptions
    • Bottled water, including "mineral water", "demineralized water" and declarations regarding the addition of fluoride ions [B.12.002, B.12.008, D.02.002(1), FDR]
    • A declaration of the addition of iodide on the principal display panel of salt [B.17.003(2), D.02.002(1), FDR]

Vitamin and mineral nutrient content claims are prohibited on supplemented foods that require a "high caffeine content" cautionary statement. Refer to Claims not permitted on supplemented foods with the "High caffeine content" statement in section Specific restrictions on the use of claims and other representations on supplemented food in Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Foods Regulations.

Note: The first 3 conditions above do not apply when a claim concerns the sodium or potassium content of a food [D.02.002(4), FDR]. Refer to Sodium (salt) claims and Potassium claims for more information on these specific claims.

Note: Even when a claim cannot be made, the amount of the vitamin or mineral nutrient may be (or in some cases, must be) declared in the NFt in an amount less than 5% of the DV or in the SFFt [D.01.004(4), D.02.002(6), B.29.002(9), FDR]. Refer to Additional nutrition information and/or to Quantitative declarations outside the Nutrition Facts table or Supplemented Food Facts table.

Testimonials and guarantees

Testimonials and guarantees are prohibited on foods represented as containing a vitamin or mineral nutrient. Refer to Testimonials and guarantees regarding vitamin and mineral nutrients for more information.

When vitamins or mineral nutrients are added directly or as components of an ingredient

When a food has a vitamin or mineral nutrient added directly to it as an ingredient, or when a food contains a vitamin or mineral nutrient that was added via an ingredient and the vitamin or mineral nutrient is declared as a component of that ingredient (as required by B.01.008 of the FDR), the amount of the vitamin or mineral nutrient must be declared in the NFt. For foods that are usually exempt from carrying a NFt, a NFt is triggered [B.01.401(3)(a) and (b), FDR].

When a supplemented food has a permitted vitamin or mineral added as supplemental ingredients (SI), the SFFt must include the amount of each SI. Please refer to Labelling requirements specific to supplemented foods in Health Canada Guidance document: Supplemented Foods Regulations.

Claims for vitamin and mineral nutrients which are present in ingredients exempted from component declaration [D.01.007, D.02.005, FDR]

Section B.01.009 of the FDR details a number of ingredients that are partially or fully exempted from component declaration. These ingredients may contain added vitamins and/or mineral nutrients as components, as set out in the applicable legislation. The label or advertisement for a food with enriched ingredients may make statements or claims about the vitamin and/or mineral nutrient components of these ingredients, provided:

  • the vitamin or mineral nutrient is declared by its common name immediately following the declaration of that ingredient to show that it is a component of that ingredient (despite the requirements of B.01.008.2(6) of the FDR)
  • except in the case of flour, all of the components of that ingredient are declared, in parentheses following the name of the ingredient. The components cannot be integrated into the ingredient list as though they are ingredients of the food. (In the case of flour, only the vitamin or mineral nutrient that is the subject of the claim would have to appear in parentheses)
  • the total content of the vitamin and/or mineral nutrient(s) in the prepackaged product is declared in accordance with D.01.004 or D.02.002 of the FDR, as applicable, and
  • the food contains at least 5% of the DV per serving of stated size for that vitamin or mineral nutrient

Example:

If a pudding carries a claim that it contains vitamin D in the skim milk ingredient, then all components of the skim milk have to be declared in parentheses following "skim milk" in the list of ingredients. In order to make that claim, the food is required to contain a minimum 5% of the DV of vitamin D per serving of stated size. Also, the vitamin D content would have to be declared in the NFt both in terms of absolute amount and % DV.

Note: all vitamins and/or mineral nutrients that are added for public health fortification purposes as per D.01.007 and D.02.005, FDR and appear in the list of ingredients must also be in the NFt. If those fortified foods are added to supplemented foods as ingredients, the vitamin and mineral nutrients must be declared in the SFFt as per B.29.003(9), FDR.

Summary table of vitamin and mineral claims
Column 1
Claim		 Column 2
Conditions - Food		 Column 3
Conditions - Label or advertisement		 Column 4
FDR reference

a) any vitamin or mineral nutrient claim
Examples:
"contains"
"source of"
"contains 8 essential nutrients"

The vitamin or mineral must be set out in column 1 of Part 2 of the Table of daily values.
The food provides ≥5% of daily value per serving of stated size.
Claims are based on the total nutrient level, with the following exception:
where fortification is not permitted and additives contribute 25% or more of the total nutrient level, any claim must only be based upon the naturally occurring nutrient level.

NFt or SFFt must include a declaration of the content of the claimed vitamin or mineral nutrient per serving of stated size, both in terms of absolute amount and % daily value (% DV)

NFt required on foods usually exempt from displaying a Nutrition Facts table by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR [B.01.401(3)(e)(ii), FDR].

SFFt required on supplemented foods in small packages exempted by B.29.018(1) of the FDR [B.29.018(2)(b)(ii), FDR].

When used in an advertisement, must comply with the Advertising requirements for nutrient content claims.

D.01.004
D.02.002
B.01.402(4)
B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)

B.29.003(7)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

b)
"good source of"
"high in"

The vitamin or mineral must be set out in column 1 of Part 2 of the Table of daily values.
The food provides ≥15% of DV, except ≥30% of DV for vitamin C.
Claims are based on the total nutrient level, with the following exception:
where fortification is not permitted and additives contribute 25% or more of the total nutrient level, any claim must only be based upon the naturally occurring nutrient level.

See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) of this table.

D.01.004
D.02.002
B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)
B.01.402(4)

B.29.003(7)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

c)
"excellent source of"
"very high in"
"rich in"
"a valuable source of"

The vitamin or mineral must be set out in column 1 of Part 2 of the Table of daily values.
The food provides ≥25% of DV, except ≥50% of DV for vitamin C.
Claims are based on the total nutrient level, with the following exception: where fortification is not permitted and additives contribute 25% or more of the total nutrient level, any claim must only be based upon the naturally occurring nutrient level.

See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) of this table.

D.01.004
D.02.002
B.01.402(4)
B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)

B.29.003(7)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

d)
"added vitamins"
"fortified/enriched with (naming the vitamin or mineral nutrient)"
"vitaminized with (naming the vitamin)"

Permitted additions of vitamins and mineral nutrients are listed in D.03.002 of the FDR (see Foods to which vitamins, mineral nutrients and amino acids may or must be added).
Minimum and maximum amounts to be added are regulated.
Claims are based on the total nutrient level, with the following exception: where fortification is not permitted and additives contribute 25% or more of the total nutrient level.

See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) of this table.

D.01.009
D.01.010
D.01.011
D.02.009
D.01.004
D.02.002
B.01.402(4)

B.29.003(7)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

e)
"(%, fraction or number) more (name of vitamin or mineral nutrient) than (naming reference food)"
"higher in (named vitamin and/or mineral nutrients) than ..."

Compared to the reference food, the product must be:
a) ≥25% increase in the claimed vitamin or mineral nutrient, and
b) have a significant absolute difference in the vitamin or mineral nutrient content of ≥10% of the daily value of the vitamin or mineral nutrient.
Claims are based on the total nutrient level, with the following exception: where fortification is not permitted and additives contribute 25% or more of the total nutrient level, any claim must only be based upon the naturally occurring nutrient level.

The (%, fraction or number) more (name of vitamin or mineral nutrient) than (naming the reference food) to be either:
a) part of, or grouped with, the most prominent claim that the food is higher in a vitamin or mineral nutrient,
or
b) clearly linked to this statement:
i) when the claim is made on the label,
and/or
ii) in the advertisement when the claim is made in the advertisement
NFt or SFFt must include a declaration of the content of the claimed vitamin or mineral per serving of stated size, both in terms of absolute amount and % DV.
NFt is required on Foods usually exempt from displaying a Nutrition Facts table by B.01.401(2)(a) and (b) of the FDR [B.01.401(3)(e)(ii), FDR].

SFFt required on supplemented foods in small packages exempted by B.29.018(1) of the FDR [B.29.018(2)(b)(ii), FDR].

When used in an advertisement, must comply with the Advertising requirements for nutrient content claims. See conditions set out in column 3 for item a) above.

D.01.004
D.02.002
B.01.402(4)
B.01.401(3)(e)(ii)

B.29.003(7)

B.29.018(2)(b)(ii)

"Light" claims

The permitted nutrient-related "light" claims and their conditions can be found in section G. Light (in Energy or Fat) and Lean Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

When a nutrient content claim for the subject Light in energy or fat is made for a food, the similar reference food must be identified. Such a reference food shall have a nutrient value that is representative of foods of that type that have not been processed, formulated, reformulated or otherwise modified in a manner that increases the energy value or the amount of fat [B.01.500(2), FDR].

For information on "light" claims related to non-nutrient sensory characteristics (for example, light colour, light taste), and information on "light" claims that are specifically permitted under B.01.502(2) of the FDR (for example, "light salted fish"), please refer to Composition and quality claims.

"Lean" claims

The permitted nutrient-related "lean" claims and their respective conditions can be found in section G. Light (in Energy or Fat) and Lean Related Statements and Claims of the Table.

The claims "lean" and "extra lean" can be made for a meat or poultry that has not been ground, marine or fresh water animals or a product of any of these.

The section "Lean" and "extra lean" provides more information on the use of these terms with regards to the labelling requirements of meat and poultry products.

 
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