Online, in the media, and in stores, people are bombarded with sometimes misleading information about food.
In addition to causing stress for some, this food cacophony hinders informed choices. Indeed, ultra-processed foods often hide behind a façade of healthy claims.
Grocery stores are filled with advertisements touting, sometimes falsely, the health benefits of their products. Several actions can be implemented to counterbalance industry marketing and promote healthy choices.
Adopted in 2022, the front-of-package nutrition symbol provides simple, accurate and reliable information to help identify foods high in saturated fat, sugar or sodium.
This magnifying glass symbol is an easy-to-interpret visual cue that is always placed in the same location on the front of packaged products.
Since 2017, Collectif Vital has participated in consultations by Health Canada, written letters to politicians and issued press releases with its partners to support this measure and share its recommendations.
The food industry has until January 1, 2026, to comply with the new labelling.
Collectif Vital will remain vigilant to make sure compliance deadlines are not delayed and that the health of the Canadian population remains the priority.
In 2016, Health Canada made changes to labelling regulations regarding the Nutrition Facts table and the list of ingredients found on packaged products.
This reform forces the grouping of different types of sugar in the ingredient list (in a parenthesis preceded by the word “sugar”), which makes them easier to identify.
In 2016, the industry was given five years, until December 14, 2021, to comply with the new product packaging regulations. An additional one-year deadline, ending in December 2022, was granted due to the challenges related to COVID-19.
Collectif Vital welcomes this regulation, which, although imperfect, makes the list of ingredients easier to understand, particularly with regard to sugars.
Potato chips, a “smart snack”? Cookies, a “sensible solution”? Several food products carry logos with misleading “healthy” connotations.
The strong demand for healthy food products has led the food industry to increase the number of “healthy” claims and logos on its packaging. These claims distract from actual nutritional information, generate confusion and do not help people make healthy choices.
Currently, industry logos are not regulated. Any brand can create its own logo and affix it to products based on its own self-defined nutritional criteria.
Collectif Vital encourages the federal government to regulate marketing practices such as the use of “health” claims and logos, which distract from nutritional information and create confusion.
Strategic placement at checkout encourages impulsive purchases.
Learn more
Local food is not synonymous with health.
Sports sponsorships are used to give featured products a health halo.
The food industry takes advantage of children’s vulnerability.
A better framework for packaging marketing.
The overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is concerning.
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