Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are Health Canada Front-of-Package symbols?

Front-of-Package (FOP) nutrition symbols are mandatory labels that appear on the front of prepackaged food products in Canada. They identify foods high in saturated fat, sugars, and/or sodium to help consumers make informed choices at a glance.

The symbols use a magnifying glass icon with the text "High in" followed by the specific nutrient(s). They are part of Health Canada's regulations under the Food and Drugs Act.

2. When are FOP symbols required on food labels?

FOP symbols are required when a prepackaged food product meets or exceeds Health Canada's thresholds for saturated fat, sugars, or sodium.

Implementation Timeline:

• January 1, 2026 - Large manufacturers (sales $1M+)
• December 14, 2026 - Small and medium-sized businesses

Some products are exempt from FOP labelling, including raw single-ingredient foods, certain dairy products, and foods in very small packages.

3. How do I know if my product needs a "high in" symbol?

Your product needs a FOP symbol if it contains 10% or more of the daily value (DV) for saturated fat, sugars, or sodium per serving (or per 50g for products with small servings).

Thresholds (per reference amount):

• Saturated Fat: 2g or more (10% DV)
• Sugars: 5g or more (10% DV)
• Sodium: 230mg or more (10% DV)

Check your Nutrition Facts table and compare to these values. If one or more nutrients exceed 10% DV, the corresponding symbol(s) must appear on the front of your package.

4. What file format should I use for printing FOP symbols?

The file format you choose depends on your printing method and design workflow:

• EPS (Encapsulated PostScript): Best for professional print production. Compatible with Adobe Illustrator, InDesign, and commercial printing workflows. Recommended for offset printing and high-quality label production.
• SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): Ideal for web-based design tools and digital workflows. Can be opened in modern design software and scales perfectly to any size.
• PNG (Portable Network Graphics): High-resolution raster format (2000px). Use when vector formats aren't supported. Suitable for digital proofs and some digital printing methods.

Recommendation: Use EPS for professional printing, SVG for modern design tools, and PNG only when vector formats cannot be used.

5. What is the difference between horizontal and vertical symbols?

FOP symbols are available in two orientations to accommodate different package designs:

• Horizontal: Nutrient names appear side-by-side. Best for wide label spaces. The magnifying glass icon appears on the left with nutrients listed horizontally to the right.
• Vertical: Nutrient names are stacked. Best for narrow or tall label spaces. The magnifying glass icon appears at the top with nutrients listed vertically below.

Choose the orientation that best fits your available label space and package design. Both orientations meet Health Canada's requirements.

6. Do I need English, French, or bilingual symbols?

The language requirement depends on your product's market and existing label:

• Bilingual (English/French): Required for products sold nationally across Canada. Most common choice. Satisfies federal bilingual labelling requirements.
• English Only: May be used for products sold exclusively in English-speaking regions or markets.
• French Only: May be used for products sold exclusively in French-speaking regions (e.g., Quebec).
• Bilingual (French/English): Same as bilingual but with French listed first. May be preferred for Quebec-focused products.

Note: If your Nutrition Facts table is bilingual, your FOP symbol should generally be bilingual as well. Consult Canada's food labelling regulations for specific requirements.

7. How do I measure my label area for size selection?

To determine the correct FOP symbol size, measure the principal display surface (PDS) of your package:

1. Identify the PDS - typically the front panel where your brand name and product identity appear
2. Measure the height and width of the PDS in centimeters
3. Calculate the area: Height (cm) × Width (cm) = Area in cm²
4. Match your area to the appropriate size category in the tool

Example: If your PDS is 15cm tall × 10cm wide, your area is 150cm². Select "Over 100 to 250cm²" in the tool.

Each size category has specific symbol dimensions to ensure readability at different label sizes.

8. Can I modify the downloaded symbols?

No. Health Canada's FOP symbols must be used exactly as provided without modifications. The regulations specify:

• You cannot change the colors
• You cannot alter the design or layout
• You cannot resize individual elements within the symbol
• You cannot add borders, backgrounds, or decorative elements
• You cannot change the text or font

You may only scale the entire symbol proportionally to fit your label size. Use the correct size category to ensure compliance with minimum size requirements.

9. Where can I find official Health Canada FOP regulations?

Official information about Front-of-Package nutrition labelling is available directly from Health Canada:

• Health Canada Food Labelling: canada.ca/food-labelling-changes
• Regulations (SOR/2022-168): Available on Justice Laws Website
• Industry Guidance: Health Canada publishes detailed guidance documents for manufacturers

Important: Always refer to official Health Canada sources for regulatory compliance. This tool provides symbols but cannot provide legal or regulatory advice.

For specific compliance questions, consult a regulatory expert or contact Health Canada directly.

10. Is this tool officially endorsed by Health Canada?

No. This tool is NOT official and is NOT affiliated with Health Canada, the Government of Canada, or any government agency.

This is an unofficial, informational resource created to help users find and download FOP nutrition symbols based on publicly available Health Canada assets.

Disclaimer: You are solely responsible for ensuring your product labels comply with all applicable regulations. We make no warranties about the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of these symbols for your specific product. See our full disclaimer and terms of use.

For official guidance and compliance support, consult Health Canada's official resources or contact a regulatory expert.