How to Read a Canadian Nutrition Facts Label (And What to Ignore)
Health Canada updated the Nutrition Facts table in 2022. Here is how to read it in 30 seconds, and the three numbers that matter most.
Medically reviewed by Marie Leblanc, RD
Registered Dietitian, Montréal QC
Written by UnityLife Admin
Updated April 2026 · Reviewed March 2026
The Canadian Nutrition Facts table looks busy, but three numbers do most of the work — and most of the rest is noise for the average shopper.
What you actually care about
Sodium % DV: aim for under 15% per serving (Health Canada’s “low” cut-off).
Fibre grams: 4+ g per serving is solid for a whole-grain or vegetable product.
Added sugars (new in 2022): aim for under 10% DV per serving.
The trick Canadians miss
Compare the serving size on the label to how much you actually eat. A “single serving” of chips on the label is often half the bag — doubling every value.
What the front-of-package symbol means
Health Canada’s new magnifying-glass symbol means the product is high in sodium, sugars or saturated fat. Consider it a real warning, not a marketing mark.
The bottom line
30-second label read: serving size, sodium %DV, fibre grams, added sugars %DV. Everything else is secondary.
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The bottom line
30-second label read: serving size, sodium %DV, fibre grams, added sugars %DV. Everything else is secondary.
Frequently asked questions
Saturated fat content matters more than total fat for most Canadians.
Sources & further reading
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