Many packaged foods sold in Canada need a Nutrition Facts table, but some products or sales contexts may be exempt.
The safest workflow:
- assume labeling is required until confirmed otherwise
- document your product scenario
- generate a compliant panel when in doubt
Who this applies to
- cottage food producers
- home bakers selling packaged products
- market vendors and local retail suppliers
- small brands scaling from test batches to regular sales
Common confusion points
- "small business" does not automatically mean exempt
- one exempt channel does not guarantee all channels are exempt
- once packaging or distribution changes, requirements can change
Practical decision checklist
- Is the product prepackaged for sale?
- Is it sold in channels where a nutrition table is expected?
- Are there category or context-specific exemptions that apply?
- Have you confirmed this with current CFIA/Health Canada references?
If you cannot confidently confirm an exemption, prepare a label workflow.
Operational best practice
Even if you may be exempt now, having a ready label process reduces risk when:
- you expand into new stores
- you change package format
- you scale production and need consistency
What to do in Nutrifax
- Build/import recipe and verify ingredients.
- Set servings as sold.
- Generate Canada format panel.
- Save exports and records for repeat use.
Related pages
Sources
Disclaimer
Educational content only; not legal advice. Always verify your exact product scenario with current official guidance.