How to Comply with New Front-of-Package (FOP) Nutrition Label Requirements for Foods in Canada
Front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labelling is a major regulatory initiative introduced by Health Canada to support healthier food choices among
Health Canada has introduced an interim policy that provides targeted flexibility for the import and sale of unenriched white flour used in the manufacture of certain foods. Published on August 31, 2026, the policy is intended to reduce regulatory burden in situations where white flour is used in relatively small amounts and where removing the enrichment requirement is not expected to undermine the public health objectives of Canada’s flour fortification program.
The change does not broadly eliminate Canada’s flour enrichment requirements. Instead, it creates a limited enforcement-discretion approach for specific food categories and for foods intended for export.
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Why Is White Flour Enriched in Canada?
White flour is a standardized food in Canada. Under the Food and Drug Regulations, white flour sold or imported in Canada must generally contain prescribed amounts of iron, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin or niacinamide, and folic acid. The existing regulatory exception applies to white flour used in or sold for the manufacture of gluten or starch.
Mandatory enrichment forms part of Canada’s broader fortification framework. Health Canada notes that fortification of white flour supports nutrient intake, contributes to the prevention of nutrient deficiencies, and has an important public health role, including reducing the prevalence of neural tube defects.
At the same time, industry stakeholders have raised concerns about applying the enrichment requirement where white flour is used only in minor amounts, such as when it functions as a carrier for a food additive or as a small component of a finished food. Health Canada developed the interim policy in response to this type of regulatory burden.
What Does the Interim Policy Allow?
Under the interim policy, Health Canada recommends that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) exercise enforcement discretion for the import and sale of unenriched white flour directly to manufacturers or distributors when the flour will be used in certain specified foods intended for the Canadian market. The policy also applies to unenriched white flour used in foods intended for export.
For purposes of the policy, unenriched white flour includes flour that does not contain the prescribed enrichment nutrients or contains one or more of those nutrients below the levels required under the Food and Drug Regulations.
This is important from a compliance perspective because the policy does not amend the Food and Drug Regulations. Rather, it establishes circumstances in which Health Canada recommends enforcement discretion while broader regulatory modernization is considered.
Which Foods Can Use Unenriched White Flour Under the Policy?
For foods sold in Canada, the policy applies only to the food categories identified by Health Canada. These include certain confectionery products, frozen desserts, meat and seafood products, legume-based products, simulated meat and poultry products, processed meat products, sauces and gravies, selected potato products, flavoured grain mixtures, certain soups, salad and potato toppers, and ingredient preparations where white flour is used as a carrier.
The scope is deliberately narrow. Some exclusions apply within these categories. For example, bakery products are excluded from the confectionery category, products such as ice cream cones and sandwiches made with white flour are excluded from the frozen dessert category, and certain breaded or battered products are not covered.
Manufacturers should therefore confirm that the finished food falls squarely within an eligible category rather than assuming that any low-level use of flour qualifies.
What Conditions Apply to the Sale of Unenriched White Flour?
The enforcement-discretion approach is conditional. Unenriched white flour supplied under the policy must be labelled as “unenriched flour” or “unenriched white flour” and must include the statement “for manufacturing use only.”
The manufacturer or distributor must also provide information to the purchaser confirming that the flour is intended only for uses permitted under the interim policy. In addition, sale and distribution records must be maintained to support traceability.
Companies relying on the policy should ensure that procurement, supplier documentation, labelling, and recordkeeping controls are aligned with the policy requirements before unenriched flour is introduced into production.
Can Unenriched White Flour Be Used in Foods for Export?
Yes. Health Canada recommends enforcement discretion for the import and sale of unenriched white flour used in the manufacture of any foods intended for export, provided the applicable conditions of the interim policy are met.
This aspect of the policy is intended to improve manufacturing flexibility and reduce barriers to international trade. Because the finished products are not intended for the Canadian market, Health Canada concluded that use of unenriched flour in these products would not affect nutrient intake among consumers in Canada.
Manufacturers should still confirm that the finished exported food complies with the applicable requirements of the destination market and with relevant Canadian export requirements.
How Can SNI Support Compliance With the Interim Policy?
Source Nutraceutical, Inc. (SNI) can help food manufacturers, importers, distributors, and brand owners assess whether the interim policy applies to their products and determine how it affects existing formulations, supplier requirements, and labels.
Our team can support product and ingredient review, assessment of eligibility under the policy, supplier and specification documentation, ingredient declaration review, Canadian food labelling compliance, and broader regulatory strategy where products are manufactured for both domestic and export markets.
SNI Regulatory Support
Where the policy creates an opportunity to use unenriched flour, early review can help confirm that the intended use fits within Health Canada’s scope and that the associated documentation and labelling controls are in place before implementation.
Book an introductory call using the following form:
FAQ
Can unenriched white flour now be sold in Canada?
Only in limited circumstances. The interim policy permits enforcement discretion for unenriched white flour supplied directly to manufacturers or distributors for use in specified food categories or in foods intended for export. General retail sale to consumers remains outside the scope of the policy.
Can unenriched white flour be used in foods for export?
Yes. The policy applies to unenriched white flour used in the manufacture of foods intended for export, provided the stated conditions are met.
Does the policy remove Canada’s flour enrichment requirements?
No. The Food and Drug Regulations continue to require enrichment of white flour. The interim policy instead sets out specific circumstances in which Health Canada recommends that CFIA exercise enforcement discretion.
Can any food manufacturer use unenriched white flour?
No. For foods sold in Canada, the finished product must fall within one of the eligible food categories listed in the policy and the applicable conditions must be met.
How should unenriched white flour be declared in the ingredient list?
For foods sold in Canada, it may be declared as “unenriched flour,” “unenriched white flour,” “flour,” or “white flour.” It should not be declared as “enriched flour” or “enriched white flour.”
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