Information - Nutrient Content And Diet-Related Health Claims
New Regulations Specify What Claims Are Allowed To ensure that consumers are given consistent information on the foods they buy, the new regulations set out the nutrient content claims and diet-related health claims that are permitted.
These regulations apply to all foods; prepackaged and non-prepackaged no matter where they are sold. They define and specify the exact conditions required for a food to qualify for a claim. These are based on recognized health and science data. Only the terms and wording set out in the Regulations can be used. The new regulations will allow diet-related health claims on food for the first time in Canada.
Highlights of the New Regulations Regarding Nutrient Content Claims "Free" claims indicate that the number of Calories or the amount of a nutrient is nutritionally insignificant in a specified amount of food.
Claims for saturated fatty acids now include a restriction on levels of both saturated and trans fatty acids.
The claim "(naming the percent) fat-free" is allowed only if accompanied by the statement "low fat" or "low in fat".
The nutrient content claim "light" is allowed only on foods that meet the criteria for either "reduced in fat" or "reduced in Calories".
The use of "light" must be accompanied by a statement that explains what makes the food "light"; this is also true if "light" refers to a sensory characteristic such as "light in colour".
The only nutrient content claims that are permitted for foods for children under 2 years of age are "source of protein", "excellent source of protein", "more protein", "no added salt" and "no added sugar".
Highlights Of What Will Be Allowed For Diet-Related Health Claims: The permitted claims are restricted to scientifically established relationships between diet and the reduction in risk of chronic disease, as follows:
- sodium and potassium, and the link to high blood pressure;
- calcium and vitamin D, and the link to osteoporosis;
- saturated fat, trans fat, and the link to heart disease; and
- vegetables and fruit, and the link to some types of cancer.
The new regulations also provide for a claim with respect to tooth decay for chewing gum, hard candy and breath-freshening products that contain a minimal amount of those carbohydrates that promote tooth decay.
Source: Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/english/media/releases/2003/2003_01bk2.htm
