Health Canada is seeking public input on front-of-package information about sodium, sugar and saturated fats

The idea for a stop sign on food labels that warns people about sugar-containing products has itself been put to a stop, but Alberta Sugar Beet Growers remain concerned about Health Canada’s proposals for front-of-package labelling.
The federal agency has proposed four different formats to label foods that contain high levels of sodium, saturated fats and sugar, and it is accepting public feedback on those proposals until April 26.
Kevin Van Ham, an ASBG director and the organization’s liaison with the Canadian Federation of Agriculture, said front-of-package labels have the potential to scare consumers away from sugar-containing products, which could in turn harm Alberta’s sugar beet industry by reducing demand.
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“We’ve got away from the stop signs and yield signs now, but their proposals now are four different proposals,” he said about Health Canada plans.
“The worst one in my mind is an exclamation mark, and they’re red and black and they’re quite bold, and these would be required after 2022, according to Health Canada.”
Van Ham said food ingredient and nutrition labels are already present on the back of food packages, and he thinks that’s where they belong.
“We want our consumers to have the information that they need in order to make informed decisions, but we feel that’s already on the back, so we don’t feel the need for (front-of-package symbols).”
Health Canada says food high in saturated fats, sugars and sodium can increase incidence of obesity, heart disease and high blood pressure. Mandatory labels on the front of food packages could better inform consumers and help improve nutritional quality of packaged food.
Some food would be exempt from such labelling, such as whole and two percent milk and fruits and vegetables without added amounts of sugar, sodium or saturated fats.
Pre-packaged foods and those primarily intended for children ages one to four would require labels if they contain 15 percent of the recommended daily amounts of those three elements, according to Health Canada proposals.
“I know that Health Canada is worried about obesity levels in children in our country, and we are as well,” said Van Ham.
“However, as we’ve said, in moderation, these products are a necessary part of our diet, and so we really are concerned about the alarmist messages.”
Canadian dairy producers have also expressed concern over the proposed labels on the front of packages.
Though labels won’t be required on whole and two percent milk, Dairy Farmers of Canada said other dairy products could be stigmatized and suggest to consumers that they aren’t healthy.
DFC president Pierre Lampron said in a news release that farmers are concerned that labels may discourage consumption of dairy products despite their nutritional benefits.
“The intent of Health Canada’s Healthy Eating Strategy is to help consumers make informed healthier choices. The best way to do this is to drive them to the Nutrition Facts Table. What assurances can Health Canada give that this type of warning labelling will not simply deter consumers from the products themselves?” said Lampron.
Input on the label proposals and other Health Canada proposals can be given at www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/programs/consultation-front-of-package-nutrition-labelling-cgi.html.
