What is the Front of Package Label for Canada?
Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition symbols will be required on most food packages as of Jan. 1, 2026. FOP symbols are required for foods with sodium, saturated fat, or sugar that exceeds the threshold based on the % Daily Value for those nutrients. NutriCalc launched this feature in March of 2025 to help comply with the upcoming FOP regulations.
Certain foods will be exempt from these regulations. To see if your foods may be exempt, please check this website: Front-of-package nutrition labelling
When will my product need this symbol?
You will need to show the FOP symbol if:
Per the serving size or reference amount of your food, whichever is the larger amount, the percent Daily Value (%DV) for Total Sugars, Sodium, or Saturated Fats exceeds the %DV threshold based on these criteria:
- If the reference amount is less than or equal to 30g or 30mL and the %DV for Total Sugars, Sodium, or Saturated Fats is equal to or greater than 10 percent; or
- If the reference amount is greater than 30g or 30mL and the %DV for Total Sugars, Sodium, or Saturated Fats is equal to or greater than 15 percent; or
- If the reference amount is greater than 30g or 30mL and the food is a main dish and the %DV for Total Sugars, Sodium, or Saturated Fats is equal to or greater than 30 percent
How to generate a Canada Front of Package Label
Open the recipe.
- Navigate to Labels and select the Canada FOP Label.
- Select the language option. English, French, and Bilingual are the options available.
- Select the format. Horizontal and vertical are the options available. The FOP symbol will be created at the largest allowable size, which may be decreased as necessary. Please check the regulations to verify the size meets the requirements for your package.
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Enter the Reference Value which is available through this external link: Nutrition labelling - Table reference amounts for food
Reminder: NutriCalc compares the Reference Value to the Serving Size and uses the %DV amounts per the larger value to determine if a FOP is necessary. - If this Recipe is a Main Dish, please check that box.
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Click Generate FOP.
The %DV for Total Sugars, Sodium, or Saturated Fat will be displayed per both the Reference Value and Serving Size. The reason for this is to clear up any confusion that may arise between the %DV used for generating the FOP and the %DV that appears on the label, if they differ.
The required FOP symbol will display in the language and format previously selected. - This label is downloadable.
- Optional: Click on the Manage FOP is any details should be adjusted.
An example for reference
Question: With a recipe for garlic bread, the nutrition facts are 13%DV Sodium for a 45g serving (one slice) of garlic bread. The Sodium FOP displays as being required. Since the threshold is 15%DV and the Sodium is 15%DV. Why the discrepancy?
Answer: The reference amount for garlic bread is 85g. The Sodium %DV for 85g calculates to 20%. With the larger amount being 85g, that is the amount used to calculate the %DV. This is why the FOP is required., even though this doesn't match what is displayed with the Nutrition Facts panel.
For full guidance for Canada Front of Package, please reference this website: Front-of-package nutrition symbol labelling guide for industry (version 2)