What You Need To Know About Nutrition Fact Tables
Nutritional Labelling Regulations:
In Canada, most pre-packaged foods as well as some non-prepackaged foods require a nutrition facts table. Nutritional labels allow Canadians to make informed decisions about their food choices.
Nutrition facts tables are standardized and regulated by Health Canada. We can work with you to help ensure your nutrition labels are compliant with regulations.
Although nutrition facts tables are generally mandatory, some food products, such as individual servings sold for immediate consumption as well as products sold at farmer’s market, do not require nutritional labelling.
Please refer to the FAQ section for more information on nutrition facts tables and regulations.
How can I get a nutrition label for my food product?
There are two different methods available to conduct nutritional analysis: calculated and analytical. The two methods are approved by Health Canada and GFIC offers both types of analysis to create nutritional facts tables.
Analytical Nutritional Testing
Calculated Nutritional Testing
The calculated method uses our nutrient database to create a nutrition facts table. It is fast, affordable and is accurate for most products.
How long does it take?
Approximately 2 days
How much does it cost?
Basic Calculated NFT - $165.00
What do I need to provide for this type of analysis?
Amount of each ingredient by weight
A description of the creation process
Serving size (ml, g, etc.)
Household Measure (tsp, bar, cups, etc.)
Any yield information (for example moisture loss)
The analytical method measures your product using chemical analysis in the laboratory. It is appropriate for all products. It is the most accurate method but it is also more expensive.
How long does it take?
Approximately 2 weeks
How much does it cost?
Basic Analytical NFT - $1095.00
What do I need to provide for this type of analysis?
A 500g sample of your finished product
Serving size (ml, g, etc.)
Household Measure (tsp, bar, cups, etc.)
Not all products are suitable for calculated testing. Please refer to the FAQ section for more information on which type of food items can be accurately analyzed with the calculated method and which type of food items typically require analytical analysis.
Contact us to discuss which analysis is best for your food product.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
What type of information needs to be included on a nutrition facts table? ↓
In 2016, Health Canada has made some changes to nutrition facts tables regulations. A 5 years transition period has been established, so by 2021 all food products will require the new version of nutrition facts tables. Some of these changes include making serving sizes more consistent across similar types of food to facilitate comparison as well as adding potassium and removing vitamin A and vitamin C to reflect nutrients of concerns in the Canadian population.
Click here for more information on on nutrition facts tables
Does my product need a nutrition facts table? ↓
Here are some examples of prepackaged food products that do not require a nutrition facts table:
- A product for which all the nutrients may be expressed as 0 (e.g. spices, vinegar)
- A beverage with an alcohol content of more than 0.5%
- A raw single ingredient meat, meat by-product, poultry or poultry by-product
- A raw single ingredient marine or freshwater animal product
- A product sold only in the establishment where the product is prepares and processed from its ingredients
- A product sold only at road-side stand, craft show, farmer’s market, etc.
- An individual serving that is sold for immediate consumption and that has not been subjected to a process to extend its durable life, including special packaging
Click here for more information on labelling exemptions
Is my product a good candidate for calculated analysis?↓
Some products are better off for calculated nutritional anaylsis depending on how it is made. Processes like cooking, baking, and frying foods can change the nutritional content of the original ingredients. Examples of these products include fermented, fried, and baked food items.
Click here for more information on food items more suitable for analytical testing
Can I make a food claim or statement? ↓
Food claims and statements can be used for a variety of reasons such as informing customers about the nutritional composition of your product, certifications you have received and even the origin of your ingredients. If you plan to make a Canadian food claim (health, composition, etc.) the calculated method is not recommended.
Click here for more information on food claims
What if my product contains alcohol? ↓
Beverages with an alcohol content of more than 0.5% do not require a nutrition facts table, unless it is added with a sweetner. We can quantify the alcohol content of your product with the analytical testing method.
Click here for more information
What if my product contains caffeine? ↓
Items such as coffee and tea typically have a very low nutrient value that does not require a nutrition facts table. However, there are guidelines to state caffeine levels in your label. We can quantify the caffeine level of your product with the analytical testing method.
Click here for more information on labelling caffeine
Do I need a nutritional facts table if my package is very small? ↓
Small packages with an Available Display Surface (ADS) of <100cm2 do not need a nutrition facts table. However products containing certain ingredients still require a nutrition facts table. Here are some examples:
- Product is ground meat or has ground meat by-products
- A vitamin or mineral is added to your product
Click here to learn more about additional reasons why your small label might have to include a nutrition facts table
How do I get started? ↓
Have questions? Every food product is different. We can decide together which analysis is best for your food product.
Contact us to discuss