Nutrition labelling: Overview

Learn how nutrition information on food labels can help you make informed food choices.

What's on a label

Most packaged foods have labels containing nutrition information. This information can help you:

• know what's in your food
• make informed food choices by:
  • comparing and choosing food products more easily
  • avoiding a food product in case of a food allergy or intolerance

Most food labels must include:

• a nutrition facts table, which shows:
  • serving size
  • calories and nutrients
  • % daily value (% DV)
• a list of ingredients, including:
  • added sulphites
  • common allergens
  • gluten sources (when present as ingredients or components of ingredients)

You may also find:

• nutrition claims on a label, which describe the:
  • amount of a nutrient in a food, such as:
    • low sodium
    • high in fibre
  • positive effects of a food on your health, such as:
    • A healthy diet rich in a variety of vegetables and fruit may help reduce the risk of some types of cancer
• a front-of-package nutrition symbol on foods that are high in:
  • sodium
  • sugars
  • saturated fats

Related links

• Canada's food guide
• Food and Drug Regulations
• Report a food labelling concern
• Nutrition labelling online course
• Technical documents on labelling requirements
• Food allergies and gluten-related disorders