Canada will require companies to add nutrition warnings to the front of pre-packaged foods high in saturated fat, sugar or sodium in an attempt to help grocery shoppers make healthier choices at a glance.
But the minced meat will be released from the labels after livestock groups objected to Health Canada’s proposal earlier this month.
The government says the labels are designed to help Canadians eat healthier because so-called “public health nutrients” are linked to conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
“These provisions are designed to make it easier for us to make informed and healthier choices,” said Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos.
Health Canada said the new labels would supplement, instead of replacing, more detailed nutrition information, which is usually on the back of food packaging.
In general, they will be placed on pre-packaged foods that contain more than 15 percent of the proposed daily value of saturated fat, sugar or sodium. For pre-packaged meals, the warnings will only apply to products with more than 30 percent of the recommended daily intake.
Minced meat is exempt from warning
The proposed labels were at the center of controversy earlier this month when a group of farmers opposed the government’s plan to include minced meat warnings.
At the time, the Canadian Cattle Breeders Association said the policy would “blacken” minced meat and make people think it was a less healthy choice than whole cuts.
Health Canada has now released minced meat from warning labels, even if it is high in fat or salt. The product is believed to have health benefits despite “disturbing nutrients”, along with milk, lots of cheese and fruit.
“Canadian families rely on ground beef as a nutritious and affordable food and an important contribution to food security. We are pleased with Health Canada’s decision to omit ground beef from the misleading warning label requirement,” said Reg Schelenberg, president of the Canadian Cattlemen’s Association. written statement.
Sugar and salt packages will also be released, as the government has said that including labels on such products would be unnecessary.
The rules are due to take effect in early 2026, which the government says gives companies enough time to manage the cost of adjusting their packaging.
Health Canada will also limit the amount of “voluntary health information”, such as labels that advertise a high-fiber item.
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