Nutrition Labelling ... Get the Facts!

Factsheet Listing

Factsheet 1: Nutrition Labelling: A Description

Factsheet 2: Using Labels to Make Informed Choices: Nutrition Facts, Ingredient List and Claims

Factsheet 3: A Closer Look at Serving Size Information

Factsheet 4: A Closer Look at % Daily Value

Factsheet 5: Nutrition Labelling and Healthy Eating

Factsheet 6: The Consumer Perspective

Examples of Integrating Nutrition Labelling into Program Interventions

What Do Nutrition Claims Mean?

Preface

Canada has a legislated system for providing nutrition information on food labels. Almost all prepackaged foods have Nutrition Facts. This is designed so that nutrition information is easy to find and easy to read. Some products y also carry nutrition claims. Most nutrition claims highlight a specific nutrient in a food, such as fat or fibre. These types of nutrition claims are referred to specifically as nutrient content claims. Some nutrition claims reinforce the role of healthy eating as part of a lifestyle that can reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease, such as heart disease or cancer. These types of nutrition claims are referred to specifically as diet-related health claims.

With effective education, the widespread availability of nutrition information on food labels offers a significant opportunity to improve the nutritional health and well-being of Canadians. Nutrition information on food labels provides an opportunity to take a fresh approach to healthy eating messages and nutrition programs.

Nutrition Labelling ... Get the Facts! series is designed to help communicate consistent and accurate messages to consumers. Each background factsheet in this series explores nutrition labelling concepts and features, and proposes strategies for maximizing learning opportunities and meeting educational challenges. Key messages, based on consumer research and consultation, are identified and will direct communication to areas where Canadians need more support to better use nutrition information on food labels.

Features of the Background Factsheets

These background factsheets can be used individually or as a series. Each background factsheet begins with an objective and, where appropriate, includes a key message for consumers, practical tips, hands-on activities that can be used "one-on-one" or with a group, and case studies - all intended to make it easier to communicate the basic principles.

Key Messages

• Nutrition Facts: easy to find, easy to read, and on more foods.
• Use Nutrition Facts, the ingredient list and nutrition claims to make informed food choices.
• Nutrition Facts are based on a specific amount of food - compare this to the amount you eat.
• Use % Daily Value to see if a food has a lot or a little of a nutrient.

For More Information

Nutrition Labelling

Health Canada: www.healthcanada.ca/nutritionlabelling
Canadian Food Inspection Agency: www.inspection.gc.ca

Other sources of information

Health Canada's Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion:
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hpfb-dgpsa/onpp-bppn/index-eng.php
Health Canada's Food Program: http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/food-aliment/e_index.html

For additional information, contact your local or community health office or your provincial Department of Health.

Published by authority of the Minister of Health.

Également disponible en français sous le titre Le point sur l'étiquetage nutritionnel ... Fiches explicatives.