Federal

Nutrition Facts values and a best-before date

You are responsible for your label values. Health Canada says the Canadian Nutrient File is too generic for a Nutrition Facts table; calculate from your suppliers’ nutrition data, ideally checked by a lab, because CFIA tests labels by lab analysis — with a 20% tolerance for naturally occurring nutrients, and none for added vitamins and minerals. No law sets shelf lives — you decide the Durable life (best-before date)How long an unopened food keeps its quality when stored properly. Packaged food that keeps 90 days or less must show a best-before date.All terms in the glossary, and CFIA calls a shelf-life study the most effective way to do it.

Who issues it
You, checked against CFIA’s rules

Which businesses need it

Packaged food makersMaking sauces, preserves, snacks, frozen meals or other packaged food to sell.

The rules behind this page

Last checked 9 October 2026. We check this guide regularly against Island Health, provincial and municipal sources, but regulations and laws change often and we can’t guarantee it is complete or current. Confirm with Island Health and your municipality before you apply, build or sell.

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