Substance Law provides legal and regulatory label review services for food products sold in Canada. We assist manufacturers, importers, and brand owners in ensuring their food labels comply with Canadian requirements before entering the market.
Food labelling in Canada is governed by the Food and Drugs Act, the Food and Drug Regulations, and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR). Non-compliant labels can result in enforcement action, product recalls, import refusals, or delays in market entry.
We review food labels for compliance with applicable laws and provide practical guidance to reduce regulatory risk. For drug, natural health product, or general consumer packaged goods labelling, see our drug label review services or our full label review practice overview.
Food Label Review and Compliance
Food products sold in Canada must comply with federal labelling rules under the Food and Drugs Act and the Safe Food for Canadians framework.
We review:
- Nutrition Facts Tables (NFTs)
- ingredient lists and allergen declarations
- bilingual labelling requirements
- front-of-package labelling rules
- nutrient content and health claims
- serving size and formatting requirements
Food labelling errors are a common source of enforcement action and should be addressed prior to market entry.
Claims and Marketing Review for Food Products
Claims on food labels and packaging are closely regulated in Canada.
We assess:
- health and nutrient content claims
- structure-function claims
- “natural,” “organic,” and similar claims
- comparative and performance claims
- implied claims and marketing language
Improper claims can trigger enforcement, even if other label elements are compliant.
Allergen, Ingredient, and Bilingual Requirements
Certain disclosures are mandatory on food labels sold in Canada.
We review:
- allergen declarations
- gluten and sulphite disclosures
- ingredient listing requirements
- English and French bilingual labelling compliance
- formatting and placement requirements
Accurate disclosure is critical for both compliance and consumer safety, and failure to meet bilingual or allergen requirements can result in enforcement action or product rejection.
Import and Market Entry Label Compliance
Imported food products must meet Canadian labelling standards before entering the market.
We assist with:
- reviewing foreign food labels for Canadian compliance
- adapting labels for Canadian requirements
- identifying gaps prior to import
- reducing risk of border or inspection issues
Pre-market label review helps avoid costly delays and enforcement action. If you’re also navigating the licensing side of bringing food into Canada, see our guide to licences to import food into Canada.
Why Work With Substance Law for Food Label Reviews
- experience with food regulatory compliance frameworks
- understanding of Health Canada and CFIA expectations
- practical, business-focused advice
- support for Canadian and international food companies
We provide legal guidance to help food businesses bring compliant products to market.
Work With a Food Label Compliance Lawyer in Canada
If you are launching or selling a food product in Canada, label compliance is a critical step in regulatory approval and market entry.
Substance Law assists food businesses with label reviews and compliance strategy. Our food and beverage lawyers can also help with the broader regulatory picture, including SFCR licensing and food compliance.
Contact Substance Law to discuss your food label review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every food product need a label review before it’s sold in Canada?
Not every product requires a formal legal review, but any food label should be checked against the Food and Drugs Act, Food and Drug Regulations, and SFCR before market entry — labelling errors are one of the most common causes of CFIA enforcement action and recalls.
What’s the difference between a food label review and an SFCR licence?
They’re separate requirements. An SFCR licence authorizes your business to manufacture, import, export, or otherwise handle food; a label review checks that your product’s packaging itself complies with labelling law. Most food businesses need both.
Do imported food products need Canadian-compliant labels before they arrive?
Yes. Foreign labels generally need to be reviewed and, where necessary, adapted to meet Canadian bilingual, allergen, and Nutrition Facts Table requirements before the product can be sold here.
What happens if a food label doesn’t comply with Canadian requirements?
Non-compliant food labels can lead to CFIA enforcement action, mandatory recalls, import refusals at the border, or delays in getting the product to market.
