Canada-wide Free shipping over $60!

Canadian Food Labels

When it comes to ingredients, it can be challenging to understand at times, the benefit to the new labeling, is that we now see a more detailed, understandable and organized list on what is in our foods.

Did you know that Canadian Food label requirements have changed?

There have been a few changes, like the removal of some items like Vitamin A and addition of Vitamin D and calcium and changes to serving sizes and more. These changes were made in conjunction with the new Canadian food guide that introduced more plant-based options and the removal of a dairy category. But we want to focus on the changes around sugar and what to look for in your products!

When it comes to ingredients, it can be challenging to understand at times, the benefit to the new labeling, is that we now see a more detailed, understandable and organized list on what is in our foods. If you take a look at the figure below, we see in the new list of ingredients, sugar was moved to the first listed ingredient. This is because there are different types of sugars, when combine in a compartmentalized list of sugars, made up a larger quantity of the overall product. This means, you can see all sugars (and other ingredients) listed so you don’t have to search, do the math yourself, or do research to find out what certain ingredients are added for what purpose. The “Sugars” category does not include artificial sweeteners, that is its own category. Natural sugars that snak. uses, like dates and Organic New Brunswick made maple syrup are included in the sugar list.

Image from: Figure 2, Food labelling changes – Canada.ca

All natural sugars do the same thing in your body- something that we need! They create energy and of course, taste great. The reason we chose dates instead of conventional sugars is the ton of added nutrients with come with them. Dates are packed full of nutrients that makes an amazing replacement for refined sugars. Keeping an eye on sugars is now easier with this new label system, which is amazing because many companies are sneaking added sugars into our foods (especially snacks and baby food!) and this needs to be monitored. We don’t have a chronic epidemic because of fruit, it’s happening because of all the sugar. when choosing sweeteners, choose more natural, sugars that are the least refined and closest to their natural state.

snak. is here to help! Get your snak.-on HERE

Check out our ingredient feature blog all about dates HERE!

References:
Changes to information on sugars – Canada.ca
Food labelling changes – Canada.ca