Canada front-of-package nutrition symbol
Health Canada's black-and-white magnifying-glass symbol is mandatory since January 1, 2026 on foods high in saturated fat, sugars or sodium.
What the front-of-package symbol is
Health Canada requires a mandatory front-of-package nutrition symbol on most prepackaged foods that are high in saturated fat, sugars and/or sodium. The symbol is black and white and takes the form of a magnifying glass that lists which of the three nutrients the food is high in. It sits on the front of the package — the principal display panel — and is in addition to the Nutrition Facts table, not a replacement for it.
When a food needs the symbol
A food generally needs the symbol when a nutrient of concern reaches or exceeds 15% of the Daily Value per serving of stated size. The threshold is higher — 30% of the Daily Value — for prepackaged meals and main dishes, and it is adjusted for small packages. Because the trigger is tied to the serving of stated size, the serving you declare in the Nutrition Facts table directly decides whether the symbol appears.
What is exempt
Some foods are exempt. Fresh fruits and vegetables with no added sugars, fat or sodium do not need the symbol; nor do raw, single-ingredient meat, poultry and fish that carry no Nutrition Facts table. Certain dairy is also exempt, such as plain milk, plain yogurt and cheese. Exemptions are specific, so confirm your product qualifies rather than assuming a whole category is covered.
Timing and enforcement
The regulations were finalized in July 2022 with a transition period, and the symbol became mandatory on January 1, 2026. The CFIA has stated it will not give enforcement discretion beyond that date, so labels in market now need to be compliant. Getting the serving size, the Nutrition Facts values and the front-panel symbol to agree is the whole job — LabelYog builds it from your recipe.
At a glance
- Confirm whether your food is in a category that requires the symbol
- Check each of saturated fat, sugars and sodium against 15% of the Daily Value per serving of stated size
- Use the 30% Daily Value threshold for prepackaged meals and main dishes
- Apply the small-package adjustment where it applies
- Place the black-and-white magnifying-glass symbol on the principal display panel
- Keep the Nutrition Facts table — the symbol is in addition to it
Questions
When did the front-of-package symbol become mandatory?
It became mandatory on January 1, 2026. The regulations were finalized in July 2022 with a transition period, and the CFIA has said it will not give enforcement discretion beyond that date.
What does the symbol look like?
It is a black-and-white magnifying glass on the front of the package that lists which of saturated fat, sugars or sodium the food is high in.
What level triggers the symbol?
Generally a nutrient reaching or exceeding 15% of the Daily Value per serving of stated size. The threshold is 30% for prepackaged meals and main dishes, and it is adjusted for small packages.
Does the symbol replace the Nutrition Facts table?
No. The symbol appears on the front principal display panel and is in addition to the Nutrition Facts table.
Which foods are exempt?
Exemptions include fresh fruits and vegetables with no added sugars, fat or sodium; raw single-ingredient meat, poultry and fish without a Nutrition Facts table; and certain dairy such as plain milk, plain yogurt and cheese.
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