The Government of Canada and Food and Consumer Products of Canada Launch Major Nutrition Labelling Initiative

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of Health, and Nancy Croitoru, President & CEO, Food & Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), today announced the launch of the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign to help Canadians make informed food choices.

Oct 25 2010 --- Health Canada and FCPC developed the multi-media Nutrition Facts Education Campaign that focuses on increasing Canadians' understanding of the Nutrition Facts table and, in particular, the % Daily Value.

"We know that many consumers are using the information in the Nutrition Facts table," said Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq. "This innovative, national initiative builds on ongoing efforts by our Government to help Canadians better understand and use this information to make healthier food choices for themselves and their families."

The initiative includes a multi-faceted approach to explain % Daily Value to consumers, through messaging to appear on food packages, in-store, and in national media (print, television, online), directing Canadians to Health Canada's educational website.  The website http://www.healthcanada.gc.ca/dailyvalue has a wealth of information and tips on how to use % Daily Value to make healthier food choices.

"The Government of Canada and FCPC's collaboration on this initiative provides information to Canadians in a variety of ways to help them when choosing a food or deciding between products," said FCPC president Nancy Croitoru. "Using the % Daily Value is a quick way for consumers to know if a packaged food contains a little or a lot of a nutrient."

Together, the Government of Canada and FCPC are working with stakeholders from the health, food retail and industry sectors to reach Canadians with this important nutrition information.