Custom Labels for Food Products — Ontario Health Unit & CFIA Requirements

Food Labelling in Ontario: What Every Producer Needs to Know

If you sell food products in Ontario — whether you are a craft sauce maker at the St. Catharines Farmers Market, a bakery in Niagara Falls, or a growing food brand shipping across Canada — your labels must comply with CFIA (Canadian Food Inspection Agency) regulations. Non-compliance can result in product seizures, fines up to $5 million, and serious damage to your brand reputation.

This guide covers everything Ontario food producers need to know about labelling requirements, common mistakes, and how to get professional labels printed that meet all regulatory standards.

Mandatory Label Elements for Food Products in Canada

1. Product Name (Common Name)

Use the common or generic name of the food — not just your brand name. "Strawberry Jam" not "Grammy's Delight." The common name must appear in both English and French on the principal display panel.

2. Net Quantity Declaration

Must appear in metric units (grams, millilitres, kilograms, litres) on the principal display panel. For products over 1kg, use kilograms. Minimum type size depends on the container's principal display area.

3. Ingredient List

All ingredients listed in descending order by weight. Sub-ingredients of compound ingredients must also be listed. Sugar-based ingredients can no longer be split to appear lower on the list — Health Canada's 2022 regulations require grouping.

4. Allergen Declaration

Canada's priority allergens that MUST be declared:

• Peanuts, tree nuts (specify which), sesame seeds
• Milk, eggs, fish, crustaceans, shellfish
• Wheat and triticale, soy
• Mustard, sulphites (10+ ppm)

Allergens must appear in a "Contains:" statement immediately following the ingredient list, or be clearly identified within the ingredient list using common names.

5. Nutrition Facts Table (NFt)

Required on most pre-packaged foods. Must follow Health Canada's specified format including:

• Serving size (in household and metric measures)
• Calories
• 13 core nutrients: fat, saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, sodium, carbohydrate, fibre, sugars, protein, vitamins A, C, calcium, iron
• % Daily Value based on Health Canada's reference amounts

Exemptions: Some products are exempt from NFt requirements, including fresh fruits/vegetables, raw single-ingredient meats, and very small packages. Check CFIA's exemption list for your specific product.

6. Bilingual Labelling

ALL mandatory information must appear in both English and French. This includes:

• Product name
• Ingredient list
• Allergen statements
• Storage instructions
• Best before date format explanation

The only exception: your brand name can be in one language only.

7. Best Before Date

Required for products with a shelf life of 90 days or less. Format: Year-Month-Day (e.g., 2026 MA 15 for March 15, 2026). Must include storage instructions if they differ from normal room temperature.

8. Name and Address

The name and principal place of business of the manufacturer, or the importer if the product is imported. Must include city and province at minimum.

Ontario-Specific Requirements

Local Health Unit Inspections

Ontario's 34 Public Health Units have authority to inspect food labels at the local level. This includes products sold at farmers markets, farm stands, and small retailers. Requirements can vary slightly by health unit — always check with yours before printing labels.

Ontario's Local Food Act

If your food qualifies as "local food" under Ontario's Local Food Act (produced or harvested in Ontario), you can use the Foodland Ontario branding — which can increase sales by 15-25% according to Ontario Ministry of Agriculture research.

Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR)

As of January 2019, the SFCR consolidated 14 previous regulations. Ontario food businesses that ship interprovincially or export must have an SFCR licence and a Preventive Control Plan. Labels must include the SFCR licence number where applicable.

For Ontario regulatory signage and compliance lettering, see our compliance lettering specialists.

Label Design Best Practices for Food Products

Material Selection

Material	Best For	Durability
BOPP (Biaxially Oriented PP)	Bottles, jars, refrigerated items	Waterproof, oil-resistant
Freezer-grade vinyl	Frozen products	Rated to -40C
Kraft paper	Artisanal, organic look	Indoor/dry only
Clear/transparent	Show product through label	Varies by base

Design Tips for Compliance + Appeal

• Minimum type sizes: CFIA specifies minimum font sizes based on label area. Ingredient lists on small packages must be at least 1.6mm (x-height).
• Contrast requirements: Text must be clearly legible against the background. Black on white is safest; avoid text on busy photographs.
• NFt placement: Must appear on any information panel visible to consumers. Cannot be hidden on the bottom of the container.
• Brand storytelling: Once compliance elements are covered, use remaining space for your brand story, sourcing information, and premium design elements that justify higher price points.

Common Food Label Mistakes Ontario Producers Make

1. English-only labels: The #1 compliance issue. Bilingual is mandatory for retail sale.
2. Missing allergen declarations: Even trace amounts from shared equipment must be declared.
3. Incorrect net quantity: Using imperial instead of metric, or placing it on the wrong panel.
4. Outdated NFt format: Health Canada updated the NFt format in 2022 — old formats are no longer compliant.
5. Misleading health claims: Claims like "healthy," "natural," or "low-fat" have specific regulatory definitions. Using them incorrectly can trigger CFIA enforcement.

Getting Your Labels Printed Right

At Niagara Stands Out, we print custom food labels for Ontario producers with:

For premium custom labels and specialty stickers, visit our custom label specialists at Lux Label Labs.

• No minimum order: Perfect for small-batch and seasonal products
• Waterproof and freezer-grade materials available
• Same-day rush printing when you need labels fast
• Any size or shape: Circles, rectangles, die-cut, and custom shapes
• Made in the Niagara Region — supporting local producers with local printing