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New food nutrition labels will be the most detailed in the world

DENNIS BUECKERT
Canadian Press


OTTAWA (CP) - Health activists are welcoming new federal regulations that will give Canadians the most detailed food nutrition labels in the world. Packaged food products will be required to carry information on 13 key nutrients in a consistent format to make comparison easy, under regulations described at a news conference Thursday.

Food manufacturers will also be allowed, for the first time, to make a number of health claims on which there is scientific consensus.

"We do think this is the gold standard for nutritional labelling," said Bill Jeffrey of the Centre for Science in the Public Interest, an independent group which has long lobbied for better labels.

"There are mandatory nutritional labelling programs in a handful of other countries . . . but this is really the best program."

Currently nutritional labelling is voluntary, and is provided in a jumble of different formats.

"Improved nutritional information on packages is an important tool to help Canadians make healthier food choices," said Terry Deen of the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

The following health claims will be permitted:

- A diet low in sodium and high in potassium may reduce the risk of high blood pressure.

- A diet adequate in calcium and vitamin D may reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

- A diet low in saturated fat and trans fat may reduce the risk of heart disease.

- A healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruit may reduce the risk of some types of cancer.

Health Canada experts admits the new labels will test the knowledge of consumers and will have to be accompanied by extensive education.

For example, labels will distinguish between saturated fats and trans fats - considered harmful - and polyunsaturates containing omega acids which may actually reduce risk of heart disease.

"We are the first country to make trans fat labelling mandatory," said Margaret Cheney of Health Canada.

"And we are the first country which has split up the omega three and omega six fatty acids so consumers can make more informed choices."

The regulations don't apply to alcohol. The risks and benefits of alcohol are too complex to deal with on a nutritional label, said Health Canada official Karen Dodds.

Other exempt products: fresh fruit and vegetables, raw meat and poultry (except when ground), raw seafood, foods prepared on site, and food servings intended for immediate consumption.

The new system will become mandatory in five years for large manufacturers and in three years for small companies. Some new labels will start appearing within months.

© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press

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