FDA 2020 Compliant

Canadian Nutrition Label Generator (CFIA Format)

Complete guide to nutrition facts labels for products sold in Canada. Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and Health Canada requirements — bilingual French/English, metric "Apport quotidien" Daily Intake system.

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Quick Answer

Canadian nutrition labels are regulated by Health Canada under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations (B.01.401), and enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The format — called the "Nutrition Facts Table" or "Tableau de la valeur nutritive" — differs from U.S. FDA format in several material ways: mandatory bilingual French/English, different reference Daily Intake values, different nutrients required (no "Total Sugars" rule until 2026 transition, but Added Sugars now required), different rounding rules, and a distinct visual layout. All packaged foods sold in Canada require Canadian-format labels regardless of country of origin.

Note: NutriFacts currently generates FDA-format (U.S.) nutrition labels. A dedicated CFIA-compliant Canadian variant is in development with a target release of late 2026. For products entering the Canadian market, contact us to join the early-access list — or work with a Canadian regulatory consultant or use Canada-specific tools like Karbomanage or NutriCert in the interim.

When to Use Canadian (CFIA) Format

Your product is exported to or sold in Canada (any province or territory).

You manufacture in Canada and sell domestically — CFIA labels are mandatory.

You operate a cross-border food business with products on shelves in both the U.S. and Canada (each market requires its own label).

You sell through Amazon.ca, Loblaws online, or Canadian-based DTC channels.

You package private-label or co-pack for Canadian retailers (Loblaws, Sobeys, Metro, Walmart Canada).

Common Products Using Canadian (CFIA) Labels

•Pre-packaged food products distributed to Canadian retailers
•Imported U.S. food brands entering Canadian distribution
•Cross-border DTC food businesses (Amazon.ca, Shopify Canada)
•Specialty food exports from U.S. small businesses
•Co-packed and private-label products for Canadian grocery chains
•Restaurant chain packaged retail products (Tim Hortons grocery line, McCain Foods, etc.)
•Canadian-made products distributed domestically
•Snack foods and beverages targeting the Quebec market specifically (where French-first labeling is preferred)

FDA Regulatory Requirements

Canadian nutrition labels are regulated under the Food and Drug Regulations (FDR) B.01.401, enforced by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). All pre-packaged foods sold in Canada must display the "Nutrition Facts Table" (English) and "Tableau de la valeur nutritive" (French) — both languages are mandatory in most provinces, with French taking primacy in Quebec under Loi 101. Required information: serving size, calories, fats (saturated + trans), cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate (fibre + sugars), protein, and core vitamins/minerals. The Daily Intake percentages reference Canadian Recommended Daily Intake values, which differ from U.S. FDA Daily Values for several nutrients (e.g., calcium, iron, sodium). The 2022 Canadian label modernization regulation required updated formatting by January 1, 2026.

How Canadian (CFIA) Differs From Standard Vertical

1Header text: "Nutrition Facts" / "Valeur nutritive" — both languages required, side-by-side or stacked.
2All required label information must appear in both English AND French (with rare provincial exceptions).
3"% Daily Value" becomes "% valeur quotidienne" / "% VQ" and references Canadian Recommended Daily Intake values, NOT U.S. FDA Daily Values.
4Different rounding rules — Canadian rules allow rounding to 0 for amounts under 0.5g for many nutrients; FDA uses different thresholds.
5"Sugars" line in Canadian labels has historically not distinguished added vs naturally occurring (a 2026 Health Canada update is changing this).
6Calorie display is required but the "calories from fat" line is NOT used in Canadian labels (FDA removed it in 2020 too).
7Sodium reference: Canadian Daily Intake is 2300mg, same as updated FDA. But older Canadian labels used 2400mg.
8Quebec products typically place French first (top or left); rest-of-Canada products typically place English first.
9Vitamin and mineral listings differ: Canadian labels emphasize iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C historically; the 2026 modernization aligns with FDA on vitamin D and potassium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my U.S. FDA nutrition label in Canada?

No. Canadian regulations require Canadian-format labels (bilingual, with Canadian Daily Intake values and proper terminology). Using an FDA-only label on products sold in Canada violates Food and Drug Regulations and can result in CFIA enforcement action including product holds, recalls, and fines. The two labels are not interchangeable even if the nutritional values are identical.

Is French language always required on Canadian labels?

Yes, with very narrow exceptions. The Food and Drug Regulations require all required label information to appear in both English AND French. Provincial law in Quebec (Loi 101) further requires French to be prominent or primary on labels sold there. Exceptions exist for "local goods" sold only within certain provinces but these are rare for packaged food and the safe default is full bilingual.

When did Canadian nutrition labels change to the new format?

Health Canada published the modernized nutrition labeling regulations in 2016 with a phased compliance period. Manufacturers had until January 1, 2026 to fully comply with the new format. Major changes include updated Daily Intake values, mandatory "Added Sugars" disclosure (parallel to FDA's 2020 change), and a redesigned table layout for improved readability.

Does Canada use FDA % Daily Values?

No. Canadian "% valeur quotidienne" (% VQ) references Canadian Recommended Daily Intake values established by Health Canada. Several nutrients have different reference values than U.S. FDA — most notably iron, calcium, and certain vitamins. A product showing "20% DV calcium" on its FDA label may show a different percentage on its CFIA label using the same per-serving calcium amount.

What's the difference between CFIA and Health Canada?

Health Canada is the federal department responsible for nutrition labeling policy and the actual regulations (Food and Drug Regulations, etc.). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is the enforcement body that inspects products, audits labels, and takes compliance action. Manufacturers reference Health Canada's guidance documents but interact most often with CFIA inspectors.

Do small Canadian food businesses get a labeling exemption?

Limited. Small businesses with under $30,000 in annual gross revenue may qualify for an exemption from the full Nutrition Facts Table requirement on certain products. However, the exemption does NOT eliminate the bilingual ingredient list or allergen declaration requirements. Most small businesses choose to provide voluntary nutrition labels for retailer and consumer trust even when not strictly required.

When will NutriFacts release a Canadian CFIA generator?

A dedicated Canadian variant is in development with a target release of late 2026. It will support bilingual French/English, Canadian Daily Intake values, CFIA rounding rules, and Quebec-specific placement requirements. Contact us via the contact page to join the early-access list.

Are EU food labels similar to Canadian labels?

No — EU food labels (under EU Regulation 1169/2011) are a third distinct framework. EU requires per-100g and per-serving values, mandatory allergen highlighting in bold, and specific nutrient declarations differing from both U.S. FDA and Canadian CFIA. A product sold in the U.S., Canada, and EU needs three different label versions. NutriFacts is planning an EU variant after the Canadian release.

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