Canada tightens front-of-pack nutrition labeling rules

06-Nov-2009 - Last updated on 06-Nov-2009 at 16:19 GMT

Canada is updating its front-of-pack nutrition labeling scheme, disqualifying whole food categories, changing the rules for fiber, salt and fat, and introducing criteria for trans fat and sugar.

The Health Check red check mark label is endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation, and is a voluntary scheme based on independently developed nutritional criteria. It bears some resemblance to the American Smart Choices green check mark system, which was suspended last week after coming in for widespread criticism. Smart Choices was particularly criticized for its inclusion of sugary cereals such as Froot Loops and Cocoa Puffs in the scheme.

It is this kind of criticism that the Health Check scheme is trying to avoid by updating its criteria, including the decision to disallow any cookies, puddings, snack foods, flans, or frozen dairy, soy or tofu desserts from entering the program from December 28, 2009. Previously, products from all of these categories have carried the red check mark symbol, allegedly as a way to help Canadian consumers make healthier choices within these categories.

Apart from these newly disallowed categories, manufacturers have been reformulating to fit new limits and enable products to remain with the program.

“The Health Check nutrient criteria developed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s registered dietitians are based on Canada’s Food Guide and also reflect the latest scientific evidence, labeling regulations, nutrition trends, eating habits of Canadians, market realities and technology,” the organization said. “Because these areas have evolved, Health Check has made a number of changes to its nutrient criteria.”

These changes include accepting the recommendation of the Canadian Trans Fat Task Force that no more than five percent of total fat should be in the form of trans fat. They also restrict the amount of sugar and fat allowed per portion, and set new rules on fiber, depending on the product category. While all of these changes will need to be in place by December 28, manufacturers have until November 2010 to get in line with tough new rules on sodium.

For many categories, the maximum amount of tolerated sodium has halved, and for some it has more than halved – the case for crackers, croutons, and rice cakes, for example.

Food companies pay fees to take part in the Health Check scheme, although it is a non-profit format, with any extra funds being reinvested in health and nutrition research and education. Fees range from $150-$700 to assess an item, and a further $1,225-$3,625 to have a product licensed, up to a maximum of $180,000.