Consumers are expected to have a clearer picture of what they are eating once new nutrition labels are implemented for small food processors.
As of Dec. 12, smaller food companies with gross annual sales of less than $1 million had to comply with mandatory food and drug regulations that require all nutritional contents to be declared on package labels.
Such labelling has been mandatory for two years, although smaller processors received an extension.
Craig Johnston, consumer products inspector with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, said the rules create uniform, easy to read labels with up to 14 ingredients listed, including omega 3 and 6.
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Previously only a handful of nutrient listings were required.
“Trans fats can’t be hidden anymore,” he said, noting shoppers will be able to compare values in low-fat muffins and granola with lean cuts of meat.
The new regulations apply to all goods produced and imported after Dec. 12. Products already imported or sitting in Canadian warehouses will be exempt, as will products such as tea that have no nutritional value and items such as homemade pies sold at farmers’ markets.
Johnston said general nutrition labels must be within 20 percent of their actual ingredient values, while products making a low-fat claim must be within 10 percent.
He said food companies have known about the labelling changes for four years, and many processors have already upgraded their packaging.
“It was an advantage for them to get on board earlier as they were picked up by more retailers,” Johnston said.
