Canada will require companies to add nutritional warnings to pre-packaged foods high in saturated fats, sugar or sodium to help grocery buyers make healthier decisions at a glance.
But ground meat will be exempt from labels, after farmer groups opposed Health Canada’s proposal earlier this month.
The government says the labels are intended to help Canadians eat healthier, as so-called “nutrients for public health concern” have been linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
“These regulations are designed to make it easier for us to make informed and healthier decisions,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
Health Canada said the new labels will complement, rather than replace, the more detailed nutritional information normally found on the back of food packaging.
They will generally be placed on prepackaged foods that contain more than 15 percent of the suggested daily value of saturated fats, sugars, or sodium. For pre-packaged meals, warnings will only apply to items with more than 30 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Notice-free ground meat
The proposed labels were at the center of controversy earlier this month when a group of ranchers opposed the government’s plan to include warnings about ground meat.
At the time, the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association said the policy would “vilify” ground meat and make people think it’s a less healthy option than whole cuts.
Now, Health Canada has exempted ground meat from warning labels, even if it is high in fat or salt. The product was considered to have health benefits despite the “worrying nutrients,” along with milk, lots of cheese, and fruit.
“Canadian families depend on ground meat as a nutritious and affordable staple food and a major contributor to food security. We are pleased with Health Canada’s decision to omit ground beef from requiring a misleading warning label.” , said Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President Reg Schellenberg in a written statement.
Sugar and salt packages will also be exempt, as the government said including labels on these products would be redundant.
The rules come into force in early 2026, which, according to the government, gives companies plenty of time to manage the costs of adjusting their packaging.
Health Canada will also limit the size of “voluntary health-related information,” such as labels proclaiming a fiber-rich article.