Government launches nutrition labelling initiative

October 29, 2010, Toronto –  Minister of Health Leona Aglukkaq and Nancy Croitoru, president and CEO,
Food and Consumer Products of Canada (FCPC), announced the launch of the Nutrition Facts Education Campaign to help
Canadians make informed food choices. 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," says 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 Health Canada website 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,"
says 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.