Canada’s New Food Labels, Explained

Although all packaged foods in Canada have had nutrition fact labels on the back or side of packaging since the 1990s, new regulations—and new front-of-package labels—are coming in 2026. Starting January 1, packaged foods that are deemed high in saturated fats, sugars and sodium must bear a black-and-white Health Canada label on the front of the package. The intention behind this labelling is to give Canadians a new tool to help them shop and eat healthier.

But do they tell the whole story? What do they actually mean when it comes to your breakfast staples, such as a glass of Florida Orange Juice?

Registered dietitian Michelle Jaelin breaks down everything you need to know about these new front-of-package nutrition labels and what they tell you about how the foods you love support your overall health.

What are front-of-package nutrition labels and which foods get them?

You might’ve already noticed the labels at the grocery store and recognized some of the brands that are slowly rolling out in Canada ahead of the January 2026 deadline. These black-and-white labels feature a magnifying glass icon and highlight whether a food is high in saturated fat, sugars, sodium or a combination.

According to Jaelin, the idea behind these new labels is to help consumers make more informed choices at a glance. These three nutrients are being highlighted because they can “contribute to health risks like stroke, heart disease, high blood pressure,” she says. Products that contain more than 15 percent of Health Canada’s recommended daily intake of these three nutrients will be required to display one of these labels.

However, these new labels are just one tool consumers can use to assess nutritional value, not the whole picture, says Jaelin. That’s where the nutrition facts panel and ingredients list on packages come in.

What do front-of-package labels leave out, and how can I use the full nutrition facts panel to get more information?

Crucially, the new front-of-package labels tell consumers only if a product is high in one or more of the three targeted nutrients—any other nutrients, including ones that are essential for healthy living, aren’t reflected. Although the labels point out concerns, they don’t explain how an ingredient could still be part of a nutritious diet.

Jaelin recommends checking the back or side label for a more fulsome view of a product’s nutritional value, including what other nutrients are included.

For example, a bottle of 100 percent orange juice features a label that details the number of macronutrients, micronutrients and the percent daily value per serving—information that helps consumers understand its nutritional value. On viewing the nutrition facts panel, it shows that a 1 cup (250 mL) serving is rich in vitamin C and a good source of potassium, which helps to support the immune system.

To be label-savvy, “you have to look at all the labels, including the nutrition facts label and the front label and the ingredient list, to get the full picture and make the most informed choice about if a product is right for you and your family,” Jaelin says.

What other health benefits does 100 percent orange juice have?

One serving of 100 percent orange juice has essential nutrients that are part of a healthy diet. “If I look at a 250-millilitre cup of orange juice, the nutrition facts panel also tells me I’m getting an excellent source of vitamin C,” Jaelin says. Vitamin C is an important nutrient; it supports the immune system by protecting cells and promoting the production and function of immune cells. Plus, your body can’t make it on its own, so it needs to be consumed. That serving of 100 percent orange juice is also a good source of natural folate, which Jaelin says is essential for pregnant women.

What does 100 percent fruit juice mean, and why is it considered “high in sugar”?

If a product is 100 percent fruit juice, that means it’s made entirely from the juice of fruits, without any added sugar. Although it doesn’t contain added sugar, it does naturally contain fruit sugars—often in amounts that exceed Health Canada’s recommended 15 percent daily value for sugars per serving.

Products like 100 percent orange juice might have a “high in sugar” label, but that doesn’t mean all beverages with the label are the same. “[The label] might confuse consumers, who may think that 100 percent orange juice is no better than a sugary pop.” But unlike other drinks that are high in sugar, like soda, 100 percent orange juice has no added sugar—all the sugar content comes from the fruit itself.

Sugar isn’t all bad, Jaelin says. In fact, it’s necessary: “Sugar is a carbohydrate and it’s a useful form of energy,” she says. “When your body breaks down the glucose, or the sugar, it helps fuel your body.” Health Canada’s guidelines recommend that sugar represents less than 10 percent of a person’s total daily calorie intake, so what’s most important is moderation.