Front-of-Package Nutrition Symbol Label Requirements on Food Packaging in Canada

Canada’s food labelling landscape is changing, and for food manufacturers, importers, and private-label brands, the new Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition symbol represents both a regulatory requirement and a strategic consideration.

Introduced by Health Canada as part of its Healthy Eating Strategy, the FOP symbol is designed to quickly signal when a packaged food is high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium. While the symbol is consumer-facing, its implications for businesses span product formulation, packaging design, labelling workflows, and compliance planning.

What Is the Front-of-Package Nutrition Symbol?

The FOP symbol is a mandatory black-and-white icon featuring a magnifying glass and the words “High in” followed by one or more nutrients of concern:

• Saturated fat

• Sugars

• Sodium

This icon is for all food products and packaging. When a food product exceeds specific nutrient thresholds, the symbol must appear prominently on the principal display panel of the package, alongside the Nutrition Facts table.

The thresholds are based on Daily Values, and understanding how to calculate whether you need them or not can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/legislation-guidelines/guidance-documents/front-package-nutrition-symbol-labelling-industry.html#a4

This is not a voluntary or marketing-driven initiative, it is a federal labelling requirement regulated by Health Canada and enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

How do I know if I need them?

The Government of Canada website outlines everything you need to know, but "for most prepackaged products, a symbol must appear on the label when the amount of saturated fat, sugars and/or sodium is ≥ (equal to or greater than) 15% of the applicable DV set out in column 2 or column 3 of Part 1 of the Table of Daily Values" (see below).

The thresholds are based on Daily Values, and understanding how to calculate whether you need them or not can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/legislation-guidelines/guidance-documents/front-package-nutrition-symbol-labelling-industry.html#a4 

Front-of-Package Sizing

Source: Government of Canada website

The Front-of-Package (FOP) label size isn't a single measurement; it varies based on your product's package size, with larger surfaces requiring larger symbols (e.g., over 600 cm² needs a 4.42 cm x 3.3 cm symbol), while smaller packages use smaller, scaled versions, all standardized by Health Canada to fit the principal display surface (PDP) while maintaining clear English and French text. 

Key Size Factors

• Package Size Determines Symbol Size: The larger the available display area, the larger the mandatory FOP nutrition symbol must be.

• Specific Dimensions:

  • For Principal Display Surfaces (PDS) over 600 cm², the symbol is 4.42 cm wide by 3.3 cm high.

  • Smaller packages have proportionally smaller, prescribed sizes (e.g., 3.79 cm x 2.83 cm for >450 to ≤600 cm² PDS).

• Compendium of Formats: Health Canada provides detailed tables (Schedule K.1) with specific dimensions and variations for different nutrients and language needs. 

Compliance Timeline

• Final compliance deadline: January 1, 2026

• Products manufactured or imported after this date must meet FOP labelling requirements

• Some brands have already begun transitioning labels during the compliance window

For companies with long packaging lead times, large SKU counts, or distributed supply chains, early planning was critical to avoiding last-minute relabeling, excess packaging waste, or delayed product launches.

Do you need to add FOP labels to your existing packaging? We can help: info@labelmediasolutions.ca

Which Products Are Affected?

Source: Government of Canada Website

Most pre-packaged foods that require a Nutrition Facts table are subject to FOP regulations if they exceed nutrient thresholds.

Thresholds vary based on:

• Serving size (≤30 g/mL vs. larger servings)

• Intended consumption (single-serve vs. multi-serve)

• Food category
  

Certain foods are exempt, including:

• Most fresh fruits and vegetables

• Plain milk, eggs, and some single-ingredient foods

• Products where the symbol would be misleading (e.g., honey, maple syrup)
  

However, exemptions are specific and limited, and businesses should assess each SKU individually rather than assume exemption.

Implications for Food Brands and Manufacturers

1. Packaging & Label Redesign

Companies may need to:

• Rework label layouts to accommodate the FOP symbol

• Ensure required size, placement, and contrast standards are met

• Coordinate changes across multiple package formats and languages

This can affect:

• Print timelines

• Inventory management

• Label approval workflows

2. Product Reformulation Opportunities

Some brands are exploring reformulation to:

• Reduce or eliminate the need for the FOP symbol

• Improve product positioning in a more transparent labelling environment

While reformulation isn’t required, the symbol may influence:

• Competitive benchmarking within product categories

• Product portfolio strategy over time

Practical Next Steps for Businesses

If your business hasn't already, you should:

• Conduct a SKU audit to identify which products trigger the FOP symbol

• Review packaging inventories to minimize waste during transition

• Coordinate with designers, printers, and regulatory advisors ASAP

• Train internal teams (marketing, regulatory, sales) on how to explain the symbol clearly and consistently
  

Early action reduces risk — and allows brands to integrate compliance into broader packaging and brand refresh cycles rather than treating it as an emergency fix.