Nutrition Labelling... Get the Facts!

Return to the Factsheet Listing

Examples of Integrating Nutrition Labelling into Program Interventions

Maya, a nutrition educator, is revising her group presentations to include nutrition labelling information and the 2007 Canada's Food Guide. Here are some ideas on how she intends to introduce the topics with her three very different audiences.

Prenatal Class

Audience Profile

• mostly single moms
• many teenagers with multiple social barriers
• low income
• nutrition is not top concern, but motivated by pregnancy

Communication level

• simple, clear messages
• use more pictures than words
• provide easy-to-read resources

Nutrition/health focus

• Canada's Food Guide
• My Food Guide Online
• calcium/vitamin D
• iron
• Calories
• fibre
• folate
• avoidance of alcohol

Labelling features

• Nutrition Facts (% DV)
• related nutrient content claims

Heart Health Program

Audience Profile

• workplace program
• male and female participants aged 45-55
• well educated
• higher literacy
• high interest in nutrition

Communication level

• progressive, clear messages to reach the well-informed audience
• provide more detailed resources

Nutrition/health focus

• Canada's Food Guide
• My Food Guide Online
• Calories
• fat; saturated and trans fats
• fibre
• sodium and potassium
• being physically active

Labelling Features

• Nutrition Facts (% DV)
• related nutrient content claims
• Health claims on sodium and potassium and hypertension; saturated and trans fats and heart disease

School

Audience Profile

• Grade 8 students
• middle-income area
• computer literate

Communication level

• limit to what is most relevant to a young audience
• make good use of electronic media to capture attention
• take an interactive approach using games and discussion groups

Nutrition/health focus

• Canada's Food Guide
• My Food Guide Online
• iron (young women)
• calcium/vitamin D
• being physically active

Labelling features

• Nutrition Facts (% DV)
• related nutrient content claims