Creating compliant supplemented food facts labels in Canada is crucial for any food manufacturer or distributor offering products with added nutrients or health benefits. To meet the CFIA’s regulatory standards, labels must comply with specific guidelines to ensure transparency and consumer safety.
Following these guidelines can be challenging, as they require precise formatting, accurate nutrient declarations, and the inclusion of mandatory health claims or disclaimers. Additionally, food manufacturers must stay up-to-date with any changes in labelling regulations to avoid penalties or product recalls.
Understanding the Basics of Supplemented Food Labels
Before diving into the specifics, it’s vital to understand what constitutes a supplemented food. Supplemented foods are products with one or more added ingredients intended for purposes beyond basic nutrition. Examples include energy drinks with added caffeine, beverages fortified with vitamins and minerals, or bars containing additional vitamins, minerals, or amino acids.
Read more: How To Import Processed Food and Beverage Into Canada
Supplemented Food Facts Labels Requirements
In Canada, “supplemented foods” come with specific labelling rules to help consumers make informed decisions about products enhanced with added vitamins, minerals, amino acids, or other ingredients meant to support health. These products must display a Supplemented Food Facts (SFF) label, which provides crucial information about the fortified ingredients. Here’s a breakdown of Canada’s labelling requirements for supplemented foods:
1. Supplemented Food Facts Table
The SFF label must feature a Supplemented Food Facts Table, similar to the standard Nutrition Facts Table. This table lists the quantity of each added ingredient per serving and the Daily Value (%DV) percentage to show how the product contributes to daily nutrient needs.
2. Declaration of Added Ingredients
To ensure transparency, all added ingredients—such as vitamins, minerals, caffeine, or herbal extracts—must be listed separately in the ingredients list. Additionally, there are strict limits on the types and amounts of certain ingredients, including caffeine and various vitamins/minerals, to prevent overconsumption.
3. Cautionary Statements
Some ingredients, like high caffeine levels or specific herbal extracts, require clear cautionary statements on the label. For example, a product with a high caffeine content must display a warning like “High caffeine content,” along with safe consumption guidelines (e.g., “Not recommended for children”).
Read more: Nutrition Labelling Requirements in Canada
4. Health Claims and Directions for Use
Health claims are only allowed if they are scientifically supported and approved by Health Canada. Furthermore, directions for safe consumption should be included on the label, especially if the product has age restrictions or recommended usage limits, helping to avoid excessive intake.
5. Bilingual Labelling
As with most products in Canada, all labels must be bilingual, including both English and French, to meet the country’s labelling laws.
These labelling requirements, established by Health Canada, are designed to promote the safe use of supplemented foods and help consumers understand what they consume.
Read more: Front-of-Package Labelling in Canada – Now Available on MenuSano
How Can MenuSano Help Businesses Create Supplemented Food Facts Labels?
MenuSano streamlines the creation of CFIA-compliant Supplemented Food Facts labels, turning a complex task into one that’s fast and straightforward. With a user-friendly interface, businesses can quickly enter data and generate accurate, regulation-compliant labels in minutes, saving valuable time and effort. This tool is ideal for businesses of all sizes, allowing them to focus on bringing products to market efficiently and confidently.
Using MenuSano is simple. Add ingredients from the platform’s extensive database or input custom ingredients. Adjust serving sizes, yields, and sugar content, then scale as necessary. Download a complete supplemented food facts label with options to add an ingredient list and allergen statement for comprehensive labelling in just a few clicks. Start a free trial or schedule a free demo.
