Comparing the Canadian front-of-pack labeling regulations with other mandatory approaches in the Americas and their ability to identify ultra-processed products

BackgroundFront-of-pack labeling (FOPL) has been implemented in several countries in the Americas, with Chile being the first to introduce a mandatory high in warning FOPL in 2016. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) food classification criteria, considered a best practice for FOPL regulations, has been adopted by Mexico, Argentina, and Colombia. Canadas FOPL regulations were recently approved and will take effect in January 2026, but it is unknown how these regulations compare to FOPL regulations that have already been implemented in other parts of the region. ObjectivesTo compare the Canadian criteria for FOPL regulations with other FOPL criteria implemented in the Americas, and to determine their ability to identify ultra-processed products (UPPs). MethodsPackaged foods and beverages (n=17,094) from the University of Torontos Food Label Information and Price (FLIP) 2017 database were analyzed using three FOPL criteria (Canadian, Chilean and PAHO criteria) and the NOVA classification system. The proportions of products that would be subject to displaying a high in/excess FOPL and UPPs that would not be subject to FOPL regulations were examined under each systems criteria. Agreement patterns were modeled using a nested sequence of hierarchical Poisson log-linear models. The Wald statistics for homogeneity were used to test whether proportional distributions differ significantly. ResultsUnder the Canadian, Chilean and PAHO criteria, 54.4%, 68.4%, and 81.3% of packaged products would be required to display a high in/excess FOPL, respectively. Disagreements between the Chilean and the Canadian criteria with PAHOs were significant, but the greatest disagreement was between the Canadian and PAHO criteria. According to the Canadian, Chilean, and PAHO criteria, 33.4%, 18.4%, 2.3% of UPPs would not be subject to FOPL regulations, respectively. ConclusionsA significant proportion of products that should be subject to FOPL regulations according to the PAHO criteria would not be regulated under Chilean and Canadian criteria, resulting in high proportion of UPPs that would not be subject to FOPL regulations. The Canadian FOPL criteria are the most lenient, with the highest proportion of UPPs that would not display a FOPL. Results can inform improvements for FOPL regulations in Canada, Chile and other countries.