As you are likely aware, Health Canada is proposing
front-of-package nutrition labeling as part of their Healthy Eating Strategy<https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/vision-healthy-canada/healthy-eating.html>,
whereby a designated nutrition symbol would go on packaged foods that bear a
Nutrition Facts table and are high in sugars, sodium and/or saturated fat.
(Some exemptions will apply.) The Office of the Provincial Dietitian would like
to ensure that you know about Health Canada's open consultation on their
proposal. This consultation closes April 26th, 2018.
There are two means by which you can be involved:
1. For those interested only in helping to
choose which symbol would be used on the front of packages, the Food
Front-of-Package Nutrition Symbol Consumer Consultation<https://www.healthyeatingconsultations.ca/front-of-package>
is a 5-10 minute survey.
2. For those
interested in providing a thorough review of any or all aspects of
front-of-package labeling, the following documents are available:
a. Regulations
Amending Certain Regulations Made Under the Food and Drugs Act (Nutrition
Symbols, Other Labelling Provisions, Partially Hydrogenated Oils and Vitamin D)
in Part I of the Canada Gazette<http://gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2018/2018-02-10/html/reg2-eng.html>.
b. Directory
of Nutrition Symbol Formats<https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-front-of-package-nutrition-labelling-cgi/directory-of-nutrition-symbol-formats.html>
c. Notice of
Health Canada's Proposal to Incorporate by Reference the "Nutrition
Labelling - Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims"<https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/public-involvement-partnerships/proposal-table-permitted-nutrient-content-statements-and-claims-landing-page.html>
For more information about the consultation process and
where to provide written feedback, see Consultation on proposed
front-of-package labelling<https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-front-of-package-nutrition-labelling-cgi.html>.
Please feel free to share this information with anyone
who may be interested. Health Canada has provided two documents to help promote
the consultation.
1. A 2-page
summary of the four options for the front-of-package symbol and the overall
rationale for having it.
2. A slightly
longer overview of what is being proposed for front-of-package labelling as
well as optional tweets and social media tags.
Additionally, Healthy Families BC has a blog post<https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/blog/health-canada-food-label-changes-have-your-say>
with general information about front-of-package labelling, including examples
of what foods will have the symbol and what foods will be exempt.
Meghan Day, MA, RD
Provincial Dietitian|Director, Nutrition Policy and
Promotion
Office of the Provincial Dietitian | Ministry of Health
