The experienced staff at NSF can assist you in creating a fully compliant label.  The staff is very knowledgeable in all aspects of the U.S. and Canadian food labeling laws and regulations. They can create a label ready Nutrition Facts table and provide information on mandatory information (i.e. name of the food, net quantity, ingredient statement, allergen declaration, nutrition information, company name/address) and provide advice on non-mandatory information (i.e. nutrient content and health claims). This information is provided to you in a format that is easy for your label designer to embed into the artwork and ensure your labels are compliant with all of the applicable food labeling regulations.

Nutrition of your products can be determined from database calculation or by laboratory analysis. For most products a theoretical database calculation method is sufficient for obtaining the nutritional profile. We have a database and software program to conduct this method of calculation based on your detailed recipe, preparation method and specific ingredients. 

Laboratory analysis is the best option in certain cases, for example when your food goes through transformative processing like deep-frying or fermentation. Laboratory analysis is also recommended if nutrient or health claims are going to be made on your product labels. The experts at NSF can help you determine which method is the right one for your product.

In the United States, a “major food allergen” is an ingredient that is derived from one of the following foods.  These foods contain proteins that can trigger allergic reactions in some individuals.  They are:  Soybeans, Wheat, Egg, Milk, Fish, Shellfish/Crustaceans, Peanuts and Tree Nuts.   Although Sulfites are not considered by the FDA to be a major food allergen, any product with sulfite levels at 10 ppm or higher must have sulfites declared on the label.  

In Canada, a “major food allergen” is an ingredient that is derived from one of the following foods.  They are:  Soybeans, Wheat, Egg, Milk, Fish, Shellfish/Crustaceans, Peanuts, Tree Nuts, Mustard, Sesame and Sulphites (at 10 ppm or higher). Furthermore, gluten sources, which are barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat, are also included in allergen labelling requirements.

In the case of fish, shellfish/crustaceans and tree nuts, the specific identity of the ingredient must be listed (e.g.  Cod, Shrimp, Almonds, etc.)

The updated labelling regulations include changes to the Nutrition Fact Table, ingredient lists and guidance on how to determine the correct serving size for your product. These updates take into account both changes in consumption patterns of Canadian consumers and scientific knowledge we have gained in the last decade.

• Changes to the Nutrition Fact table include new formatting, to emphasize the most important information, like the Calories and Serving Size. Some nutrients have been added and removed, and many Daily Values have changed. There is also a new footnote, providing context to consumers for the % Daily Values.
• New requirements for the format of the ingredient list and allergen statements are intended to increase legibility for consumers. Health Canada has also added the requirement to group sugar-based ingredients in the ingredient list, and to and list food colours by individual names.
• The way that serving sizes will be determined has been improved, in order to enhance consistency and to better reflect the amounts typically eaten.

On June 13, 2017, the FDA announced its intention to extend the compliance date for the Nutrition Facts Label final rules. The FDA will provide details of the extension through a Federal Register Notice at a later time.

The updated regulations include changes to the format of the Nutrition Fact panel, the nutrients declared, and guidance on how to determine the correct serving size for your product. These updates take into account both changes in consumption patterns of consumers and scientific knowledge we have gained in the last decade.

Changes to the regulations include:

• Updated formatting to emphasize the calories and serving size information, a new footnote and actual amounts of the vitamins and minerals. 
• Changes to the way Sugars are shown in order to provide clear information about this nutrient of concern. Added Sugars will now be required to be declared on the panel with a new % Daily Value.
• A new definition for Dietary Fiber that requires evidence of a beneficial effect to our health.
• Vitamin A and Vitamin C will no longer be required on the panel and be replaced by Vitamin D and Potassium to reflect new scientific knowledge. 
• Updates to serving sizes and new format requirements for special package sizes based on the Reference Amounts Customarily Consumed per Eating Occasion (RACC).
• Updated Daily Values (DV) for many nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Labels must be updated on or before July 26, 2018.  Companies with less than $10 million in annual food sales will have an extra year to comply with the new regulations. 

Calorie and nutrition labeling will be required for standard menu items. Calories must be clear and prominent on menus and menu boards. Written nutrition information is required to be available to consumers upon their request.  This regulation applies to any company which operates restaurants, convenience stores and other retail food establishments with 20 or more locations operating under the same name and offering substantially the same restaurant type food menu items. Compliance is required by May 7, 2018.

The regulation requires calorie information to be shown for all food products sold from vending machines.  The calories may be posted on a machine’s electronic display, by stickers or by signs.  All calorie information must be prominently displayed so the consumer can see the information before making a selection.  Anyone who owns or operates 20 or more vending machines which dispenses food products will be required to comply with the new Vending Machine Regulation.

For most machines, the compliance date is December 1, 2016.  For glass-front vending machines that sell food products with front of package labeling and for machines that sell certain gums, mints and roll candy, the compliance date is July 26, 2018.

Ontario’s new Healthy Menu Choices Act and Regulations came into force on January 1, 2017. The law requires owners and operators of food service premises that are part of a chain with 20 or more locations in Ontario to display calorie information for every standard food and beverage item on their menus, and on display tags/labels or signs where the food items are put on display or are self-serve.