BASIC LABELLING REQUIREMENTS:
In Canada, the basic labeling requirements include:
- Common name on the principal display panel
- Net quantity in metric units on the principal display panel
- Numerical portion of net quantity which must be of a certain type height (see the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations)
- Principal display panel declaration of aspartame or acesulfame-potassium, if present in product
- List of ingredients
- Legal agent's name and address (must be complete enough for Canada Post)
- The presence of nutrition claims trigger mandatory Nutrition Information Labelling
- Canadian Nutrition Information table, if triggered
* Note: mandatory information must be in French and English (except company name and address)
* For more information see Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and Regulations.
HOW TO IDENTIFY NON-COMPLIANT PRODUCT IN THE RETAIL MARKET
Canadian Requirements Checklist:
Does the product have an appropriate common name (e.g. whey powder, nutritional supplement (nutrition composition as per section B.24.201 of the Food and Drug Regulations), meal replacement (nutritional composition as per section B.24.200 of the Food and Drug Regulations))?
Does the product have net quantity in metric units on the principal display panel (PDP)?
Does the product have English and French on the label?
Does the product have a name and address complete enough for postal delivery?
If you answered "no" to any of these questions, the label of this product may violate one or more of the current Federal Regulations.
Common Violations Checklist:
- Does the product lack a common name or have an inappropriate common name such as "diet supplement" or "muscle builder"
- Is the net quantity absent or, if present, shown only in non-metric units (e.g. "lb", "oz")?
- Does the product have English only on the label?
- Does the product make metabolic claims, that is, claims as to what the food will do after it is ingested (e.g. for big muscles, for quick weight loss)?
- Does the product list aspartame or acesulfame potassium in the ingredients but not on the principal display panel?
- Does the product contain added amino acids (may be permitted only if formulated with other amino acids to be a complete protein with a protein rating of 20 or more)?
- Does the product contain added caffeine?
- Does the product contain ingredients that are considered unsuitable?
- Does the product have US "Nutrition Facts" on the label?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is "yes", then this product may be in violation of Federal Regulations.
* THE ABOVE IS MEANT AS A GUIDELINE AND IS IN NO WAY COMPREHENSIVE AS TO PRODUCT COMPOSITION AND LABELLING REQUIREMENTS.
Resources:
For complete information regarding product and label regulations, the following acts and regulations are available on the Department of Justice Website and from Canadian Government Publishing at the address indicated below:
The Food and Drugs Act and Regulations [H41 - 1-90 F(French) or E (English)]
The consumer Packaging and Labelling Act (YX55 - 1985 - C-38)
The Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations (RE910)
Canadian Government Publishing
Public Works and Government Services Canada
Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0S9
Tel. 819-956-4800
Fax. 819-994-1498
Internet Addresses:
Food and Drugs Act and Regulations:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca./en/F-27/index.html
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca./en/C-38/index.html
Consumer Packaging and Labelling Regulations:
http://laws.justice.gc.ca./en/C-38/C.R.C.-c.417/index.html
Guide to Food Labelling and Advertising (internet only):
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/bureau/labeti/guidee.shtml
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