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Nutrition Facts table formats

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Considerations for selecting an appropriate Nutrition Facts table

Although the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) require the declaration of a Nutrition Facts table (NFt) on most prepackaged products, the information may be presented in a variety of different formats. Industry has considerable flexibility in presentation, and may choose from several different format "families". Within each format family, further choices of presentation style are available. For example, manufacturers may opt for separate French and English tables (including a narrow variation in the case of the standard format) or choose to use a single bilingual table.

The specific format chosen and the size of Nutrition Facts table are based on a combination of mandatory and voluntary considerations.

First consideration: Who will buy the product

There are major differences in the nutrition labelling requirements depending upon who is consuming or buying the product. Basically, for the purposes of nutrition labelling there are 3 classes of foods:

The 2 last classes of foods have specific requirements associated with them. The appropriate sections provide further information.

Second consideration: On what basis will the information be presented

In the majority of cases, nutrition information is presented on the basis of a serving of food as sold. However, nutrition information for specific forms of coffee (whole or ground beans and pods) and tea (dry loose leaves, bags and pods) must be provided in the Nutrition Facts table on an "as consumed" basis, rather than on an "as sold" basis. These forms of coffee and tea are not consumed in their "as sold" form. They are percolated, brewed, infused or steeped in water and the original food (grounds or leaves) is then discarded and only the liquid is consumed. Issues related to serving size are discussed in the Information within the Nutrition Facts table page.

However, in certain circumstances, the manufacturer is provided with other presentation options. For example, nutrition information may be provided for a food in more than 1 amount (2 cookies, 1 cookie), or for individual foods in a multi-pack (crackers and cheese). As well, information for the food as sold (such as a cold cereal) may differ from information about the food as prepared (cereal with milk).

Sections B.01.401(6), B.01.401(6.1), B.01.403(5) and B.01.406 of the FDR outline the conditions under which the various options for the presentation of nutrition information may be used. In some cases the manner of presenting information is mandatory, while in other cases it is at the discretion of the manufacturer.

The manner of presenting nutrition information directly affects the choice of Nutrition Facts table format.

Third consideration: What format is required

The steps involved in choosing an NFt format are set out in the section Steps for choosing a Nutrition Facts table.

Steps for choosing a Nutrition Facts table

Step 1: Measure the available display surface of your package

The Nutrition Facts table is not required to occupy more than 15% of the available display surface (ADS) of a package, except in the case of smaller packages.

For information on calculating the ADS of the package, see the Available display surface page. When calculating the space occupied by the Nutrition Facts table, remember the following 3 principles:

Certain rules may apply with respect to formats for specific packaging cases:

Step 2: Choose a Nutrition Facts table format family

Sections B.01.454 to B.01.459 of the FDR set out "families" of formats. Each family provides format options for presenting nutrition information in a specific manner, as mentioned above. For example, the standard/horizontal/linear family provides format options for presenting nutrition information for a single serving of food as sold, while the "Dual format – Foods requiring preparation" family provides options for presenting nutrition information for the food as sold and as prepared.

The table below titled "Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use" is a tool for selecting the appropriate format family for a prepackaged product. Once the appropriate family is determined, the decision tree diagrams provide guidance on the specific template that should be chosen.

There are similar families of formats for prepackaged foods for infants 6 months of age or older but less than 1 year of age with specific exceptions.

Table: Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use
Format May be used for Must be used for Example(s)
Standard/ horizontal/ linear formats [B.01.454, FDR]
  • most foods (for example, carton of milk, prepackaged loaf of white bread)
  • prepackaged product containing an assortment of similar foods, where a serving consists of more than 1 food (for example, box of chocolates, tray of mixed nuts), declared as a single composite value [B.01.406(4), FDR]
  • prepackaged product containing an assortment of similar foods, where 1) serving consists of only 1 of the foods, and 2) information for serving size, energy and core nutrients is the same for all individual items (for example, multi-pack of frozen popsicles) [B.01.406(3)(b), FDR].
  • multi-pack of frozen popsicles
  • prepackaged loaf of white bread
  • carton of milk
  • tray of mixed nuts
  • box of assorted chocolates
Simplified formats [B.01.455, FDR]
  • foods whose nutrient value is "0", as reported in the NFt, for 6 or more of the Calories and core nutrients [B.01.401(6), FDR]
not applicable (always optional)
  • some jams/jellies
  • fruit flavoured drinks
  • drink mix powders
  • diet soft drinks
Simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products [B.01.455.1, FDR] not applicable (always optional)
  • snack foods such as chocolate bars, chewy granola bars
Dual format – foods requiring preparation [B.01.456, FDR]
  • foods requiring preparation prior to consumption or foods that are customarily served combined with other foods [B.01.406(5), FDR]
not applicable (always optional)
  • dry noodle and spice mix to be added to ground meat
  • chocolate drink mix to be added to milk
  • raw meat to be cooked
  • dry breakfast cereal to be served with milk
  • powder brownie mix
Aggregate format – different kinds of food [B.01.457, FDR]
  • prepackaged products containing an assortment of foods of the same type, where a typical serving consists of more than 1 food, declared as separate values for each food (for example, box of assorted chocolates, tray of mixed nuts) [B.01.406(4), FDR]
  • package containing separately packaged ingredients or foods that are intended to be eaten together (for example, cheese and cracker snack kit, taco kit) [B.01.406(2), FDR]
  • prepackaged product containing an assortment of foods of the same type, where 1) serving consists of only 1 of the foods, and 2) information for serving size, energy and core nutrients is different for all individual items (for example, variety pack of granola bars or chocolate bars) [B.01.406(3)(a), FDR]
  • box of assorted chocolates
  • tray of mixed nuts
  • cheese and cracker snack kit
  • taco kit
  • multi-pack of granola bars
Dual format – different amounts of food [B.01.458, FDR]
  • cases where it is suitable to provide nutrition information for a food in more than 1 amount, to reflect different uses or different units of measurement of a food (for example, 2 slices and 1 slice of bread)
not applicable (always optional)
  • apple sauce may be used both as a fruit [1/2 cup (125 mL)] and a condiment [1 tbsp (15 mL)]
  • 2 slices and 1 slice of bread
Aggregate format – different amounts of food [B.01.459, FDR]
  • cases where it is suitable to provide nutrition information for a food in more than 1 amount, to reflect different uses or different units of measurement of a food (for example, 3 bite-size muffins and 1 bite-size muffin)
not applicable (always optional)
  • evaporated milk may be used in small quantities to whiten coffee [1 tbsp (15 mL), or may be reconstituted and used as a beverage [1/2 cup (125 mL)]
  • in the case of bite-size muffins, 3 muffins and 1 muffin

Step 3: Choose the appropriate Nutrition Facts table using decision trees

Guide to using decision trees

The decision trees for each family of formats provide a stepwise strategy to determine an appropriate format and version (size) of the Nutrition Facts table. In each decision tree:

The manufacturer must start at the top of the tree and work their way down.

All selections in the first level options must be exhausted before second level options may be considered. Likewise, all second level options must be exhausted before proceeding to any third level options.

At the first level, the manufacturer is provided with the choice of different options, such as separate French and English tables (including a narrow variation in the case of the standard format) or a single bilingual table. For each format variation, a number of different sizes are provided.

For example, the decision tree for standard/horizontal/linear formats begins by laying out the first level options:

First level options

Standard
This is an example of a Standard Nutrition Facts table displaying the core mandatory information. Description follows.
Description – Figures 1.1 to 1.6

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a rule below Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Percent Daily Value has an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fat is Saturated and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Saturated there is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centered against the saturated and trans information on the left. It is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the Trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Carbohydrate is Fibre followed by a placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of Fibre followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fibre is Sugars followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sugars followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sodium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of potassium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of calcium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of iron followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms a little and a lot are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

or

Narrow standard
This is an example of a Narrow Standard Nutrition Facts Table. Description follows.
Description – Figures 2.1 to 2.4

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a rule below Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Percent symbol Daily is on top of Value. Percent Daily Value has an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fat is Saturated and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line there is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centered against saturated and trans information on the left. It is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the Trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Carbohydrate is Fibre followed by a placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of Fibre followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fibre is Sugars followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sugars followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sodium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of potassium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of calcium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of iron followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, with 'a little' in bold. The next line is 15 percent symbol or more is a lot with 'a lot' in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

or

Bilingual standard
This is an example of a Nutrition Facts table displaying the core mandatory information. Description follows.
Description – Figures 3.1 to 3.4

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts and stacked below it is the heading Valeur nutritive. Both are in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a thin rule below pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Stacked under this is percent symbol valeur quotidienne. Both Percent Daily Value and percent valeur quotidienne are followed by an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, forward slash, Lipides in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fat, forward slash, Lipides is Saturated, forward slash, saturés and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat, followed by a lower case g. Indented on the next line is a plus symbol followed by Trans, forward slash, trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans fat, followed by lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centered against the saturated and trans information on the left. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides is Fibre, forward slash, Fibres, followed by a placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of Fibre followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fibre is Sugars, forward slash, Sucres, followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sugars followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein, forward slash, Protéines in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol, forward slash, Cholestérol in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sodium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of potassium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of calcium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron, forward slash, Fer followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of iron followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table.

The next 2 lines is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot and on the second line is an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol ou moins c'est peu, 15 percent symbol ou plus c'est beaucoup. The terms 'a little', 'a lot', 'peu', and 'beaucoup' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Once the format variation has been chosen, the largest version of that format must be used unless:

If this is the case, then the next version should be used unless it also requires more than 15% of the ADS or does not fit on 1 continuous surface, and so on.

The largest version of the chosen format must be selected that meets these criteria.

For example, if the manufacturer chose the standard format (format 1), they must choose the largest Nutrition Facts table variation that fits (figure 1.1 is the largest variation; figure 1.6 is the smallest.)

However, if none of the size variations of format 1 (figures 1.1 to 1.6) will work on the package, then the manufacturer must examine other first level options: the narrow standard format (format 2) and the bilingual standard format (format 3). The manufacturer cannot proceed to the next level in the decision tree until all first level options have been exhausted.

At the lowest level (where packages and Nutrition Facts tables are small), any format variation and any version in the family may be chosen provided that it fits on 1 continuous surface and that the characters printed in the table do not touch each other or the lines (rules).

Notes of explanation

This stepwise approach to choosing a Nutrition Facts table ensures the following basic premises are fulfilled:

Standard, horizontal and linear formats [B.01.454, FDR]

Purpose: The standard, horizontal and linear formats present nutrition information for 1 serving of food as sold.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

Bread, milk, orange juice, cookies and chocolate bars.
These products usually provide nutrition information for 1 serving of food as sold, using a standard, horizontal or linear format.

Standard, horizontal, linear: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree on how to decide which NFT format to use – Standard, Horizontal or Linear. Description follows.

Description – Standard, horizontal, linear: hierarchy of formats decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the standard formats

  • Manufacturer may choose format 1, 2 or 3. Standard (figures 1.1 to 1.6), narrow standard (figures 2.1 to 2.4) or bilingual standard (figures 3.1 to 3.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose the largest version that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing between the horizontal formats

  • Choose the largest version of format (figures 4.1 to 4.2) that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All second level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Third level options: Steps for choosing between the linear formats

  • May choose any format, any version: bilingual standard (figures 3.5 to 3.7), bilingual horizontal (figures 4.3 to 4.5), linear (figures 16.1 to 16.2) or alternative methods of presentations such as tags, package inserts, inner labels, fold-out labels, overwraps or collars.

For package inserts and inner labels, the outer label must indicate where to find the NFt.

Major distinguishing features of the standard, horizontal and linear formats

Standard format
Nutrition Facts Table – Standard Format – Figure 1.1. Description follows.
Description – Standard format – Figure 1.1

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a rule below Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Percent Daily Value has an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fat is Saturated and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Saturated there is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centered against the saturated and trans information on the left. It is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the Trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Carbohydrate is Fibre followed by a placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of Fibre followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fibre is Sugars followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sugars followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sodium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of potassium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of calcium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of iron followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms a little and a lot are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Bilingual horizontal format
Nutrition Facts Table – Bilingual horizontal format. Description follows.
Description – Bilingual horizontal format – Figure 4.1

The first column of the table starts with the heading Nutrition Facts left justified. The next line is the heading Valeur nutritive. Both are in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. The next line starts with an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table, followed by DV equal sign Daily Value. The next line is VQ equal sign valeur quotidienne. This is the end of the first column in the table.

Column 2 of the table starts with the right-justified subheading percent symbol DV forward slash percent symbol VQ asterisk in bold. The asterisk refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thin rule under the subheading that spans the width of the column.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, forward slash, Lipides in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fat, forward slash, Lipides is Saturated, forward slash, saturés and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat, followed by a lower case g. Indented on the next line is a plus symbol followed by Trans, forward slash, trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans fat, followed by lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centred against the saturated and trans information on the left. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line under Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides is Fibre, forward slash, Fibres, followed by a placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of Fibre followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line under Fibre is Sugars, forward slash, Sucres, followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sugars followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the column.

Below this line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote spans the bottom of columns 2 and 3 of the table. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot, forward slash, asterisk 5 percent symbol ou moins, c'est peu, 15 percent symbol ou plus c'est beaucoup. The terms 'a little', 'a lot', 'peu', and 'beaucoup' are in bold.

Column 3 of the table starts with the right-justified subheading percent symbol DV or percent symbol VQ asterisk in bold. The asterisk refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thin rule under the subheading that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Protein, forward slash, Protéines in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Cholesterol, forward slash, Cholestérol in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of sodium followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of potassium followed by a percent symbol.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of calcium followed by a percent symbol.

The next line is Iron, forward slash, Fer followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of iron followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the column. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

The second level options, bilingual horizontal format figures 4.1 and 4.2, are in the same size range as some of the first level options. These formats may only be used when:

Pie box with correct use of bilingual horizontal NFt on the side panel.
This open-window pie box is a candidate for the bilingual horizontal format, as placing a standard format on the side or bottom of the package would result in the product being damaged when the consumer turned the package over or sideways to view the NFt.

frozen diner box illustrating incorrect use of the Bilingual Horizontal Format NFt on the side panel.
This product illustrates incorrect use of the bilingual horizontal format. This box will accommodate a first level option, that is, standard, narrow standard or bilingual standard formats.

Linear format
Nutrition Facts Table – Linear format. Description follows.
Description – Linear format – Figure 16.1

There are 5 lines of text within the table. Left justified on the first line is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold followed by Per HM, open parenthesis MM close parenthesis, followed by Calories, in bold, and a placeholder for the amount of Calories per serving of the product, also in bold.

Left justified on the next 3 lines is a horizontal list of nutrients followed by placeholders for the amount of each nutrient followed in parentheses by the percent daily value of the nutrient per serving of the product. Note: the percent daily value only applies to Fat, Saturated Fat plus Trans, Sugars, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Iron. Fat, Saturated Fat, Trans, Carbohydrate, Fibre, Sugars, and Protein are each followed by a lowercase g and Cholesterol, Sodium, Potassium, Calcium and Iron are each followed by a lowercase mg. All of the nutrients are in bold type. The line breaks come after Cholesterol, Sodium, and Iron, including their amount and percent DV placeholders.

The last and fifth line of text is a legend and footnote. The legend is left justified and reads: percent symbol, equal sign, percent symbol Daily Value followed by an asterisk. Right justified in the same line is the footnote: asterisk 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

A narrow, long, rectangular package

While the total ADS of this package is significant, because of the configuration, only third level options will fit, for example, linear, alternate methods of presentation.

Simplified formats [B.01.455, FDR]

Purpose: The simplified formats are designed for foods that contain a limited number of nutrients. These formats provide nutrient information for 1 serving of food as sold. However, they do not declare all 12 nutrients and Calories in the core list and, consequently, are smaller than standard format Nutrition Facts tables.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

jam, fruit flavoured drink and drink mix powder
Some jams, jellies, fruit flavoured drinks, drink mix powders, and diet soft drinks meet the criteria for the simplified format.

Simplified formats: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree on how to decide which NFT format to use – Simplified. Description Follows.

Description – Simplified formats: hierarchy of formats decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the standard formats

  • Manufacturers may choose format 5 or 6. Simplified standard (figures 5.1 to 5.6) or bilingual simplified standard (figures 6.1 to 6.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose the largest version that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing between the horizontal formats

  • Choose the largest version of format (figures 7.1 to 7.2) that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All second level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Third level options: Steps for choosing between the linear formats

  • May choose any format, any version: bilingual simplified standard (figures 6.5 to 6.6), bilingual simplified horizontal (figures 7.3 to 7.4), simplified linear (figures 17.1 to 17.2) or alternative methods of presentation such as tags, package inserts, inner labels, fold-out labels, overwraps or collars.

    For package inserts and inner labels, the outer label must indicate where to find the NFt.

What nutrients must be declared in the simplified formats [B.01.401(6), FDR]

Note: Values that are "0" and are not required to be declared may be voluntarily declared in the NFt. For example, if the value for sodium in a food that qualifies for the simplified format is 0 mg, it may still be included.

Major distinguishing features of the simplified formats

Simplified standard format
Nutrition Facts table – simplified standard format. Description follows.
Description – Simplified standard format – Figure 5.1

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a rule below Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Percent symbol Daily is on top of Value. Percent Daily Value has an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for the percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin line under Fat that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin line under Carbohydrate that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thick rule under the Protein that spans the width of the table.

The next 4 lines are the footnote: Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, fibre, sugars, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium or iron. There is a thin rule below this footnote.

The next 2 lines is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, with 'a little' in bold. The next line is 15 percent symbol or more is a lot with 'a lot' in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Bilingual simplified horizontal
Nutrition Facts table – bilingual simplified horizontal format. Description follows.
Description – Bilingual simplified horizontal format – Figure 7.1

The first column of the table starts with the heading Nutrition Facts left justified and stacked below it is the heading Valeur nutritive. Both are in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. The next 4 lines are the Daily Value footnote. The first line of the footnote starts with an asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little. The next line is 15 percent symbol or more is a lot, forward slash. The next line is 5 percent symbol ou moins c'est peu. The last line is 15 percent symbol ou plus c'est beaucoup. A little, a lot, peu, and beaucoup are in bold.

Right justified at the top of column 2 is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value followed by an asterisk that refers to a footnote in column one of the Nutrition Facts table. The next line is percent symbol valeur quotidienne. Both are in bold. There is a thin rule under percent symbol valueur quotidienne that spans the width of the column.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, forward slash, Lipides in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin line under the fat information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin line under the carbohydrate information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Protein, forward slash, Protéines in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thick rule under the protein information that spans the width of the column.

The next 3 lines are a footnote which says: Not a significant source of saturated fat, trans fat, fibre, sugars, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, calcium or iron. There is a thin rule below this footnote. The next 3 lines are a footnote which says: Source négligeable de lipides saturés, lipides trans, fibres, sucres, cholestérol, sodium, potassium, calcium et fer. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Simplified linear format
Nutrition Facts table – simplified linear format. Description follows.
Description – Simplified linear format – Figure 17.1

There are 3 lines of text within the table. Left justified on the first line is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold followed by per HM, open parenthesis MM close parenthesis, followed by Calories, in bold, and a placeholder for the amount of Calories per serving of the product, also in bold.

Left justified on the second line is Fat, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount and percent Daily Value of fat in parentheses. The amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and the percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Following on the same line is Carbohydrate, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Protein is next, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g.

Left justified on the third line is the legend: percent symbol, followed by equal sign percent symbol Daily Value, followed by an asterisk. The asterisk refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. Right justified on the same line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to in the legend. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products [B.01.455.1, FDR]

Purpose: The simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products are designed specifically for single-serving prepackaged products with little nutritional value, and do not apply to single-serving prepackaged meals.

These formats provide nutrient information for the package contents as sold. Since single-serving prepackaged products face space challenges in trying to accommodate all labelling requirements, they may omit certain nutrients, as well as the "Not a significant source of …" footnote.

The majority of products that tend to be sold in single-serve packages are snack foods. While the intent is to provide information on the negative nutrients from a public health standpoint (for example, trans + saturated fat, sugars, sodium), the amounts of cholesterol, dietary fibre, potassium, calcium or iron are not likely to be as relevant to consumers of snack foods and are therefore not required. However, manufacturers may voluntarily add this information back into the table if they wish.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use. Single-serve packages of snack foods, such as chocolate bars and potato chips, meet the criteria for the simplified format – single-serving prepackaged products.

Simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree - NFT format – Simplified Formats – Single-serving Prepackaged Products. Description follows.

Description – Simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products: hierarchy of format decision tree

First level options: steps for choosing between the standard formats

  • Choose the largest version of format (figures 6.1.1 to 6.4.1) that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: steps for choosing between the horizontal formats

  • Choose the largest version of format (figures 7.1.1 to 7.2.1) that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All second level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Third level options: steps for choosing between the linear formats

  • May choose any format, any version: bilingual simplified standard – single-serving prepackaged products (figures 6.5.1 to 6.6.1), bilingual simplified horizontal – single-serving prepackaged products (figures 7.3.1 to 7.4.1), simplified linear format – single-serving prepackaged products (figures 17.1.1 to 17.2.1) or alternative methods of presentation such as tags, package inserts, inner labels, fold-out labels, overwraps or collars.

For package inserts and inner labels, the outer label must indicate where to find the NFt.

What nutrients must be declared in the simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products [B.01.401(6.1), FDR]

Note: Values that are "0" and are not required to be declared may be voluntarily declared in the NFt. For example, if the value for sodium in a food that qualifies for the simplified format for single-serving prepackaged products is 0 mg, it may still be included.

Major distinguishing features of the simplified formats – single-serving prepackaged products

Bilingual simplified standard – single-serving prepackaged products
Nutrition Facts table – Bilingual Simplified Standard. Description follows.
Description – Bilingual simplified standard – single-serving prepackaged products – Figure 6.1.1

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts and stacked below it is the heading Valeur nutritive. Both are in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a thin rule below pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis that spans the width of the table. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product. Right justified on the same line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value in bold. Stacked under this is percent symbol valeur quotidienne in bold. Percent Daily Value has an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thick rule under Calories that ends after the amount placeholder; it does not span the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, forward slash, Lipides in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin line under the fat information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin line under the carbohydrate information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein, forward slash, Protéines in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thick rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little, forward slash, asterisk 5 percent symbol ou moins c'est peu, The next line is 15 percent symbol or more is a lot, forward slash, 15 percent symbol ou plus c'est beaucoup. The terms 'a little', 'peu', 'a lot', and 'beaucoup' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Bilingual simplified horizontal – single-serving prepackaged products
Nutrition Facts table – Bilingual Simplified Standard. Description follows.
Description – Bilingual simplified standard – single-serving prepackaged products – Figure 7.1.1

The first column of the table starts with the heading Nutrition Facts left-justified. The next line is the heading Valeur nutritive. Both are in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is pour MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is Calories in bold followed by a placeholder, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product.

Right justified at the top of column 2 is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value followed by an asterisk that refers to a footnote at the bottom of column 2 of the Nutrition Facts table. The next line is percent symbol valeur quotidienne. Both are in bold. There is a thin rule under percent symbol valueur quotidienne that spans the width of the column.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, forward slash, Lipides in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line is a placeholder for percent Daily Value of fat followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin line under the fat information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Carbohydrate, forward slash, Glucides in bold followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin line under the carbohydrate information that spans the width of the column.

The next line is Protein, forward slash, Protéines in bold followed by a placeholder for amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thick rule under the protein information that spans the width of the column.

The next 3 lines is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to by the asterisk at the top of column 2. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot, forward slash asterisk 5 percent symbol ou moins c'est peu, 15 percent symbol ou plus c'est beaucoup. The terms 'a little', 'peu', 'a lot', and 'beaucoup' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

The following alternate figure illustrates how this bilingual simplified horizontal format could look like when saturated and trans fats, sugars and sodium values cannot be expressed as "0".

Nutrition Facts table – Bilingual Simplified Horizontal. Description follows.

Simplified linear format – single-serving prepackaged products
Nutrition Facts table – Simplified Linear Format. Description follows.
Description – Simplified linear format – single-serving prepackaged products – Figure 17.1.1

There are 3 lines of text within the table. Left justified on the first line is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold followed by per HM, open parenthesis MM close parenthesis, followed by Calories, in bold, and a placeholder for the amount of Calories per serving of the product, also in bold.

Left justified on the second line is Fat, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount and percent Daily Value of fat in parentheses. The amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and the percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Following on the same line is Carbohydrate, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Protein is next, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g.

Left justified on the third line is the legend: percent symbol, followed by equal sign percent symbol Daily Value, followed by an asterisk. The asterisk refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. Right justified on the same line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to in the legend. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Dual format – foods requiring preparation [B.01.456, FDR]

Purpose: The dual format – foods requiring preparation provides nutrition information for both the food as sold and for the food as it is usually consumed.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

box of cereal
This box of cereal may use the dual format – foods requiring preparation to provide nutrition information for the cereal as sold, as well as for the cereal as consumed with milk.

brownie mix package. Description follows.
This powder based mix may use the dual format – foods requiring preparation to provide nutrition information for the food as sold (powder mix) and for the food as prepared.

Note: In cases where the nutrition information for the food is not altered by the preparation – where the nutrition information is the same for the food as sold and for the food as prepared – a standard, bilingual horizontal, linear or simplified format may be used. Note that in these cases, the serving size declaration is modified to include a declaration for the food as prepared in addition to the food as sold. The serving size for the "Prepared" food includes the household measure only, not the metric measure. For drink crystals to be prepared with added water, for example, the serving size may be declared as "Per 1 tbsp (2 g) (about 1 cup prepared)". Other examples include frozen concentrated juice to be prepared with added water, some popping corn.

Dual format – foods requiring preparation: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree - NFT format – Dual format. Description follows.

Description – Dual format – food requiring preparation: hierarchy of formats decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the dual formats

  • Manufacturer may choose format 8 or 9. Dual format (figures 8.1 to 8.6) or bilingual dual format (figures 9.1 to 9.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose largest version of format that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing a format when first level options are exhausted

  • May choose either version of bilingual dual format (figures 9.5 to 9.6).
  • If no version fits, return to hierarchy of format for standard/horizontal/linear formats
Major distinguishing features of the dual format – foods requiring preparation

The format of the dual format – foods requiring preparation is modified slightly depending on whether the food is to be prepared (for example, cake mix) or is served combined with another food (for example, cereal and milk). Examples of both variations are provided.

Food requiring preparation (for example, cake mix)
nutrition facts table – dual format. Description follows.
Description – Dual format – foods requiring preparation

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is open parenthesis about HM prepared close parenthesis. There is a rule below open parenthesis about HM prepared close parenthesis that spans the width of the table.

The next line starts with a blank cell with no information. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 are the subheadings As sold and Prepared. These are in bold. There is a double dagger symbol following Prepared which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table.

Left justified on the next line is Calories, in bold, followed by a set of placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product as sold and prepared. There is a thick rule under the Calories information that spans the width of the table.

The next line starts with a blank cell with no information. Centred above the columns 2 and 3 is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value, in bold, followed by an asterisk which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. The lowercase letter g is followed by a dagger symbol which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the table. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of fat as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Saturated followed by a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans fat followed by a lowercase g. There are placeholders in columns 2 and 3 for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat as sold and prepared, which are right justified and vertically centred against saturated and trans information on the left. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by lowercase g. Indented on the next line is Fibre followed by a placeholder for the amount of Fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of Fibre per serving of the product as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Sugars followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sugars per serving of the product as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of sodium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sodium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of potassium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of calcium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of iron as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the table.

The next 6 lines are the footnotes. The first line is the dagger symbol footnote which says: Amount in food as sold. The next line is the double dagger symbol footnote which says: HM of the added food adds set of placeholders for the amount of calories, followed by calories. The third line is: placeholder for the amount of fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by fat open parenthesis placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by saturated fat, placeholder for the amount of trans fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by trans fat close parenthesis. The fourth line is: placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g, followed by carbohydrate open parenthesis placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g, followed by fibre, placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g, followed by sugars close parenthesis. The fifth line is: placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g, followed by protein, placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by a lowercase mg, followed by cholesterol, placeholder for the amount of sodium followed by a lowercase mg, followed by sodium. There is an arrow pointing to this footnote that says it is optional. There is a thin rule under this footnote that spans the width of the table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote. It starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Nutrition Facts table
Serving size and sub-headings

Nutrient declarations

Food as sold
Food as prepared
Footnotes

Note: Variations in sub-headings are possible to describe the different forms of the food for which information is provided. This format can also be used for products as cooked that do not have any ingredients added (for example, bacon "As sold" and "Cooked") or for products as drained (for example, sardines in oil "As sold" and "Drained"). As there are no ingredients added in these cases, the optional footnote stated above which presents the amount of nutrients provided by added ingredients does not apply. The serving size for the "Prepared" food includes the household measure only, not the metric measure.

Combined food (for example, cereal and milk)

Nutrition Facts table – Dual Format. Description follows.
Description – Dual format – combined food

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The next line is Per HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. The next line is open parenthesis about HM prepared close parenthesis. There is a rule below open parenthesis about HM prepared close parenthesis that spans the width of the table.

The next line starts with a blank cell with no information. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 are the subheadings As sold and Prepared. These are in bold. There is a double dagger symbol following Prepared which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table.

Left justified on the next line is Calories, in bold, followed by a set of placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product as sold and prepared. There is a thick rule under the Calories information that spans the width of the table.

The next line starts with a blank cell with no information. Centred above the columns 2 and 3 is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value, in bold, followed by an asterisk which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. The lowercase letter g is followed by a dagger symbol which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the table. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of fat as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Saturated followed by a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans fat followed by a lowercase g. There are placeholders in columns 2 and 3 for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat as sold and prepared, which are right justified and vertically centred against saturated and trans information on the left. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by lowercase g. Indented on the next line is Fibre followed by a placeholder for the amount of Fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of Fibre per serving of the product as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Sugars followed by a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified in columns 2 and 3 on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sugars per serving of the product as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of sodium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sodium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of potassium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of calcium as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line in columns 2 and 3 are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of iron as sold and prepared. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the table.

The next 6 lines are the footnotes. The first line is the dagger symbol footnote which says: Amount in food as sold. The next line is the double dagger symbol footnote which says: HM of the added food adds set of placeholders for the amount of calories, followed by calories. The third line is: placeholder for the amount of fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by fat open parenthesis placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by saturated fat, placeholder for the amount of trans fat followed by a lowercase g, followed by trans fat close parenthesis. The fourth line is: placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g, followed by carbohydrate open parenthesis placeholder for the amount of fibre followed by a lowercase g, followed by fibre, placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g, followed by sugars close parenthesis. The fifth line is: placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g, followed by protein, placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by a lowercase mg, followed by cholesterol, placeholder for the amount of sodium followed by a lowercase mg, followed by sodium. There is an arrow pointing to this footnote that says it is optional. There is a thin rule under this footnote that spans the width of the table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote. It starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Nutrition Facts table
Serving size and sub-headings
Nutrients and footnotes

Aggregate format – different kinds of foods [B.01.457, FDR]

Purpose: The aggregate format – different kinds of foods provides nutrition information for 2 or more foods or ingredients in a prepackaged product.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

multi-pack granola bars
The aggregate format – different kinds of foods is suitable for this multi-pack of granola bars. Each bar is a single serving and has a unique nutrient profile.

Individual cheese and cracker snack kits
This snack ensemble may use the aggregate format – different kinds of foods to present the nutrition information for the individual foods. Use of the aggregate format – different kinds of foods is optional.

Boxes of assorted chocolates
The aggregate format – different kinds of foods may be used to provide nutrition information for each type of chocolate. Use of the aggregate format – different kinds of foods is optional.

This format may also be used for multi-use packages (for example, a container that is used to package a variety of dips, where the same NFt and package would be used each time) provided it is clear which nutrition information applies to which product.

Multi-pack of frozen flavoured ices
The aggregate format – different kinds of foods may not be used for this multi-pack of frozen ices, where each frozen ice is 1 serving of food and the nutrient information for all the frozen ices is the same.

Aggregate format – different kinds of food: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree - NFT format – Aggregate format. Description follows.

Description – Aggregate format – different kinds of food: hierarchy of formats decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the aggregate formats

  • Manufacturer may choose format 10 or 11. Aggregate format (figures 10.1 to 10.6) or bilingual aggregate format (figures 11.1 to 11.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose the largest version of format that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing a format when first level options are exhausted

  • May choose any version: bilingual aggregate format (figures 11.5 to 11.6) or alternative methods of presentation

Aggregate format

Major distinguishing features of the Aggregate format – different kinds of foods
Nutrition Facts table – Aggregate Format. Description follows.
Description – Aggregate format – different kinds of foods – Figure 10.1

The table is divided into 4 columns. Left justified at the top of the first column is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. On the same line and at the top of columns 2, 3 and 4 are the subheadings Food 1, Food 2 and Food 3. These are placeholders for the different name or flavour variations of the food. Below the Nutrition Facts heading, in the first column, is Per HM. On the same line in columns 2, 3 and 4 and right justified is MM in parentheses. There is a rule below the Per HM and MM in parentheses subheadings that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

Below Per HM is Calories, in bold, followed by placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product in columns 2, 3 and 4. There is a thick rule under Calories and the placeholders that spans the width of each column. Note, it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

On the next line below the Calories information there is a blank cell with no information. In the same line under the amount of Calories placeholders in columns 2, 3 and 4 are the subheadings Amount and Percent symbol DV in bold. There is an asterisk after each percent symbol DV that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thin rule below the blank cell with no information and under each Amount and percent symbol DV subheadings that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, in bold followed in columns 2, 3 and 4 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of fat. Each amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line is Saturated followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4 by placeholders for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line there is a plus symbol followed by Trans, followed in columns 2, 3 and 4 by placeholders for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There are also placeholders, in columns 2, 3 and 4 for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and vertically centred against saturated and trans information on the left. These are followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed in columns 2, 3 and 4 by placeholders for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line is Fibre followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of fibre. Each amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line is Sugars followed, in columns 2, 3, and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of sugars. Each amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the sugars information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Protein in bold followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4, by placeholders for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule below the protein information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Cholesterol in bold followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4, by placeholders for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule below the cholesterol information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of sodium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule below the sodium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Potassium followed, in columns 2, 3, and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of potassium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the potassium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Calcium followed, in columns 2, 3, and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of calcium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Iron followed, in columns 2, 3 and 4, by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of iron. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule below the iron information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value legend and footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The line starts with an asterisk followed by the letters DV equal sign Daily Value. Right justified on the same line is another asterisk followed by 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Note: Although the Directory of Nutrition Facts Table Formats and the Compendium of templates: Nutrition Facts tables and list of ingredients do not specify this, Health Canada permits the use of more than 1 household measure in the aggregate format – different kinds of food for prepackaged products containing an assortment of foods of the same type, where:

In this case, the household measure for each can appear before the corresponding metric measure of that variety as shown in the image below. The serving size used must reflect the regulated reference amount for the product category in the Table of Reference Amounts for Food.

An example is a variety pack of sliced ready to eat meats, where the thickness of the slice of each variety differs.

Nutrition Facts table – aggregate format – different kinds of food – Description follows.
Description – Acceptable serving size declaration in the aggregate format – different kinds of food

The table is divided into 4 columns. Left justified at the top of the first column and spanning into the second column is the heading Nutrition Facts, forward slash, Valeur nutritive in bold. On the next line and at the top of columns 2, 3 and 4 are the subheadings Food 1, Food 2 and Food 3. Stacked directly below are the French subheadings, Aliment 1, Aliment 2 and Aliment 3. These are placeholders for the different name or flavour variations of the food. Below the Nutrition Facts heading, in the first column, is Per and stacked below is pour. On the same line under the subheadings Aliment 1, Aliment 2 and Aliment 3 in columns 2, 3 and 4 and right justified are the subheadings HM open parenthesis MM close parenthesis and stacked below each of these subheadings is MD open parenthesis MM close parenthesis. There is a rule below the pour and MD and MM in parentheses subheadings that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

Below pour is Calories, in bold, followed by placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per serving of the product in columns 2, 3 and 4. There is a thick rule under Calories and the placeholders that spans the width of each column. Note, it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

Simplified aggregate format

Although not mentioned in the FDR, Health Canada permits the use of a simplified aggregate format – different kinds of foods for prepackaged foods that meet the criteria for both the aggregate format – different kinds of foods (prepackaged foods containing an assortment of foods or separately packaged ingredients) and the simplified format (foods whose nutrient value is "0", as reported in the NFt, for 6 or more of Calories and core nutrients).

Dual format – different amounts of food [B.01.458, FDR]

Purpose: The Dual format – different amounts of food may be used whenever it is suitable to provide nutrition information for a food in more than 1 amount. For instance, foods may have different uses and be consumed in different amounts, or be shown in different units of measurement.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

For example, the dual format – different amounts of food may be used to provide information for 2 slices and 1 slice of bread, or for 1/2 cup (125 mL) of applesauce, when served as a fruit, and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of applesauce, when used as a condiment.

The primary serving (HM1) is always reflective of the reference amount.

Dual Format – information for two slices of bread Dual Format – information for 1 slice of bread.
Since the reference amount is reflective of 2 slices of bread, the nutrition information required in the first column of the NFt must be for 2 slices of bread, this being the primary serving (HM1).

Dual Format – information for 1/2 cup of applesauceDual Format – information for 1 tablespoon of applesauce
Since 125 mL is the reference amount for applesauce, this amount must be shown as the primary serving within the NFt.

Dual format – different amounts of food: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree - NFT format – Dual format. Description follows.

Description – Dual format – different amounts of food: hierarchy of formats decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the dual formats

  • Manufacturer may choose format 12 or 13. Dual format (figures 12.1 to 12.6) or bilingual dual format (figures 13.1 to 13.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose the largest version of format that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing a format when first level options are exhausted

  • May choose either version of bilingual dual format (figures 13.5 to 13.6).
  • If no version fits, return to hierarchy of format for standard/horizontal/linear formats.

Dual format

Major distinguishing features of the dual format – different amounts of food
Dual Format – Different Amounts of Food. Description follows.
Description – Dual format – different amounts of food – Figure 12.1

Left justified at the top of the table is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. On the next line is Per HM1, followed by open parenthesis MM1 close parenthesis. There is a rule below the serving of stated size information that spans the width of the table.

In the next line below there is a blank cell with no information. Right justified on the same line are subheadings for 2 columns of information. There is a note outside the table with an arrow pointing to the subheading line which says: Subheadings specify the different amounts of the food for which information is provided. The first subheading is, HM1 open parenthesis MM1 close parenthesis and the second is, HM2 open parenthesis MM2 close parenthesis. These are in bold. There is a thin rule under the blank cell and the subheadings which spans the width of the table.

Left justified on the next line within the table is Calories, in bold, followed by a set of placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per HM1 and HM2. There is a thick rule under the Calories information that spans the width of the table. Under the thick rule and right justified on the next line is the subheading percent symbol Daily Value, in bold, followed by an asterisk which refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table.

Left justified on the next line is Fat, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of fat followed by a lowercase g. The lowercase g follows with a dagger symbol. This refers to a footnote at the bottom of the table. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of fat per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Saturated and a placeholder for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line, there is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed by a placeholder for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There is a placeholder for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat per HM1 and HM2, which is right justified and vertically centred against saturated and trans information on the left. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Carbohydrate, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of carbohydrate followed by lowercase g. Indented on the next lineis Fibre and a placeholder for the amount of Fibre followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of fibre per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. Indented on the next line is Sugars and a placeholder for the amount of sugars followed by a lowercase g. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sugars per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the sugars information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Protein, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule under the protein information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Cholesterol, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule under the cholesterol information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Sodium, in bold, followed by a placeholder for the amount of sodium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of sodium per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the sodium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Potassium followed by a placeholder for the amount of potassium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of potassium per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule under the potassium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Calcium followed by a placeholder for the amount of calcium followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of calcium per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is Iron followed by a placeholder for the amount of iron followed by mg in lowercase. Right justified on the same line are placeholders for the percent Daily Value of iron per HM1 and HM2. The placeholders are followed by percent symbols. There is a thick rule under the iron information that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table.

The next line is the dagger symbol footnote that was referred to earlier in the table description. It starts with the dagger symbol followed by Amount in HM1. There is a thin rule under this footnote that spans the width of the Nutrition Facts table. Below this line and left justified is the percent Daily Value footnote. It starts with an asterisk followed by the statement: 5 percent symbol or less is a little. On the next line, the footnote continues with: 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Nutrition Facts table
Serving size and sub-headings
Nutrient declarations
Footnote

Aggregate format – different amounts of food [B.01.459, FDR]

Purpose: Similarly to the dual format – different amounts of food, the aggregate format – different amounts of food may be used whenever it is suitable to provide nutrition information for a food in more than 1 amount, to reflect different uses or different units of measurement of a food.

The aggregate format – different amounts of food provides complete nutrition information (that is, in both absolute values and % Daily Values) for all amounts of food, whereas the dual format – different amounts of food only provides absolute values for the first amount of food.

The table Which Nutrition Facts table format family should I use provides guidance on when this format is appropriate for use.

For example, the aggregate format – different amounts of food may be used to provide information for 2 slices and 1 slice of bread, or for 1 tbsp (15 mL) of condensed milk, when used to whiten coffee, or 1/2 cup (125 mL), when reconstituted and used as a beverage.

The primary serving (HM1) is always reflective of the reference amount.

Image of two slices of bread on a plate.Image of a slice of bread on a plate.
Since the reference amount is reflective of 2 slices of bread, the nutrition information required in the first column of the NFt must be for 2 slices of bread, this being the primary serving (HM1).
Someone pouring sirop into a cup of coffee.milk in a measuring cup and a tin can.
Since 15 mL is the reference amount for condensed milk, this amount must be shown as the primary serving within the NFt.
Aggregate format – different amounts of food: hierarchy of formats decision tree

Click on image for larger view
Decision tree - NFT format to use – Aggregate format. Description follows.

Description – Aggregate format – different amounts of food – Hierarchy of formats/decision tree

First level options: Steps for choosing between the dual formats

  • Manufacturer may choose format 14 or 15. Aggregate format (figures 14.1 to 14.6) or bilingual aggregate format (figures 15.1 to 15.4).
  • Within the desired format, choose the largest version of format that will fit on 15% ADS and one continuous surface of the package.
  • All first level options must be exhausted before proceeding to next level.

Second level options: Steps for choosing a format when first level options are exhausted

  • May choose either version of bilingual aggregate format (figures 15.5 to 15.6).
  • If no version fits, return to hierarchy of format for standard/horizontal/linear formats.

Aggregate format

Major distinguishing features of the aggregate format – different amounts of food
Nutrition Facts table – aggregate format – different amounts of food. Description follows.
Description – Aggregate format – different amounts of food – Figure 14.1

The table is divided into 3 columns. Left justified at the top of the first column is the heading Nutrition Facts in bold. The word Nutrition is on the first line with the word Facts stacked directly underneath. At the top of the second column and left justified is Per HM1 and stacked directly below it and on the same line as the word Facts is MM1 in parentheses. At the top of the third column and left justified is Per HM2 and stacked directly below it and on the same line as the word Facts and MM1, in parentheses, is MM2 in parentheses. There is a rule below the word Facts, MM1 in parentheses and MM2 in parentheses that spans the width of each column. Note it is not a continuous line; there is a space between each of the columns.

Below the word Facts and under the rule is Calories, in bold, followed by placeholders, also in bold, for the amount of Calories per HM1 and HM2 in columns 2 and 3. There is a thick rule under Calories and the placeholders that spans the width of each column. Note, it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

On the next line down under the Calories information there is a blank cell with no information. In the same line under the amount of Calories placeholders in columns 2 and 3 are the subheadings Amount and Percent symbol DV in bold. There is an asterisk after each percent DV that refers to a footnote at the bottom of the Nutrition Facts table. There is a thin rule below the blank cell with no information and under each Amount and percent DV subheading that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

Left justified on the next line is Fat in bold followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of fat. Each amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line is Saturated followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount of saturated fat followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line there is a plus symbol followed by Trans followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount of trans followed by a lowercase g. There are also placeholders, in columns 2 and 3 for the combined percent Daily Value for saturated and trans fat which is right justified and centered against saturated and trans information on the left. These are followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the trans information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Carbohydrate in bold followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount of carbohydrate followed by a lowercase g. Indented on the next line is Fibre followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of fibre followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. Indented on the next line is Sugars followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of sugars. Each amount placeholder is followed by a lowercase g and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the sugars information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Protein in bold followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount of protein followed by a lowercase g. There is a thin rule below the protein information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Cholesterol in bold followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount of cholesterol followed by mg in lowercase. There is a thin rule below the cholesterol information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Sodium in bold followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of sodium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule below the sodium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Potassium followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of potassium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the potassium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Calcium followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of calcium. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thin rule below the calcium information that spans the width of each column. Note: it is not a continuous line; there is a space in the line between each of the columns.

The next line is Iron followed, in columns 2 and 3 by placeholders for the amount and percent Daily Value of iron. Each amount placeholder is followed by mg in lowercase and each percent daily value is followed by a percent symbol. There is a thick rule below the iron information that spans the width of the table.

The next line is the percent Daily Value footnote that was referred to at the beginning of the table description. The footnote starts with an asterisk followed by the letters DV equal sign Daily Value. The next line the footnote continues with: 5 percent symbol or less is a little, 15 percent symbol or more is a lot. The terms 'a little' and 'a lot' are in bold. This is the end of the Nutrition Facts table.

Nutrition Facts table
Serving size and headings
Nutrient declarations
Footnote

Alternate methods of presentation

The FDR provides for alternatives in the presentation of nutrition information. For many of the formats, but not all formats, prepackaged products that meet the conditions of being able to use a third level Nutrition Facts table (NFt) option may use "Alternative methods of presentation".

When the FDR permits these alternative methods, the NFt may be set out on:

Any version (size) of the permitted NFt formats may be used. In the case of a package insert or the inner side of a label, the outer label of the prepackaged product shall indicate in a type size of not less than 8 points where the Nutrition Facts table is located [B.01.466, FDR].

Nutrition Facts table formats on tags

The available display surface for tags section provides information for situations in which a Nutrition Facts table (NFt) may alternatively be presented on a tag attached to a package.

When the NFt is set out on a tag, it must be set out in a format and size described in 1 of the following sections of the FDR:

Formats for specific packaging cases

Small packages < 100 cm2 available display surface

Small packages with an available display surface (ADS) of <100 cm2 need not carry a Nutrition Facts table (NFt) on the label provided that an indication is present on the outer label indicating how the consumer or purchaser may obtain the nutrition information [B.01.467(1), FDR]. There are several requirements which the statement must meet. Refer to the Manner of declaring the statement section for more information.

Losing the < 100 cm2 ADS exemption

There are several scenarios in which this small package NFt exemption does not apply and the package is required to carry an NFt [B.01.467(2), FDR]. These scenarios are covered in Reasons for losing the nutrition labelling exemption, with 1 exception: ground meat, ground meat by-products, ground poultry meat and ground poultry meat by-products may still retain this small package NFt exemption.

When the exemption is lost, the NFt need only include:

Alternate methods of presentation (for example, tag, package insert, inner label, a fold-out label, an outer sleeve, overwrap or collar) may be used. However, the format hierarchy must permit that option.

Note: Exemptions from bilingual labelling exist for local foods, test market foods and specialty foods [B.01.012(3) and (7), FDR].

Never losing the < 100 cm2 ADS exemption

The NFt exemption for small packages with an ADS of < 100 cm2 also applies to a prepackaged product that qualifies for a free of sugars claim, when the following conditions are met [B.01.467(2.1), FDR]:

Manner of declaring the statement

The statement indicating how the nutrition information may be obtained must satisfy several requirements [B.01.467(3), FDR]:

The manufacturer of the prepackaged product must provide nutrition information upon request [B.01.467(4), FDR]:

The manufacturer must also ensure that:

Retail packages ≥ 200 cm2 available display surface

A product sold only in the retail establishment where it is packaged, when the package has an available display surface (ADS) of 200 cm2 or more and is labelled with a sticker, is not exempt from declaring an NFt.

Reference information

Compendium of templates for Nutrition Facts tables and list of ingredients

To help label designers and the food and packaging industry meet format specifications of the FDR, Health Canada developed a Compendium of templates for Nutrition Facts tables and list of ingredients which is available for order on the Health Canada website. The templates are the actual-size graphic illustrations of the various versions of the Nutrition Facts table permitted by the FDR. Also included are a few sample templates for the list of ingredients that would meet the graphic specifications as set out in the FDR.

The templates were created in Adobe InDesign CC 2015 and are available in INDD, IDML and PDF format. The IND files can be opened and edited in Adobe InDesign CC 2015 or newer. The IDML files can be opened and edited in older versions of Adobe InDesign (CS4 and later).

It is recommended that the templates be edited in Adobe InDesign, however conversion to other software packages is possible. A third-party extension (for example, ID2Q by Markzware) can be used to convert the InDesign files to Quark Xpress files.

If the Acrobat (PDF) files are viewed or printed using Acrobat Reader or opened in commonly used artwork software packages such as Adobe Illustrator or Macromedia Freehand, the conversion may not be perfect and will cause alterations in the graphic elements. Consequently, before using the converted templates, it is important to check them against the graphic specifications in the Nutrition Labelling – Directory of Nutrition Facts Table Formats document posted on the Health Canada website which sets out all measurements for the NFTs.

The templates in the Compendium of templates for Nutrition Facts tables and list of ingredients only contain mandatory information. If additional information is included in the NFt, it will not fit in the templates without altering the measurements. The outer measurements of the NFt, as listed on the templates, may change if additional information is declared or if fonts other than Helvetica or Arial are used.

The FDR set the graphic and technical requirements for how nutrition information must be displayed in the NFt [B.01.450, B.01.460, FDR, and Nutrition Labelling – Directory of Nutrition Facts Table Formats]. This covers aspects such as order of presentation, dimensions, spacing and the use of upper and lower case letters and bold type. For more details, refer to Presentation of the Nutrition Facts table page.

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