Grant: Project Grant

Health Canada has prioritized supporting healthier food choices for Canadians by implementing regulations like mandatory front-of-package labelling (FOPL) for unhealthy foods that are high in sodium, sugars, and/or saturated fat. Robust tools with brand-specific data on the nutritional composition of foods are required to assess the impacts of FOPL on the food supply and consumer behaviours. Accordingly, this research will evaluate the impacts of Canada's FOPL regulations on the nutritional composition and price of foods, Canadians' knowledge and use of FOPL, and their food consumption and purchases. This study will use Food Label Information and Price (FLIP) - the largest database of brand name packaged and restaurant food data in Canada. This research will comprehensively measure the impacts of FOPL prior to, and after its implementation in 2026. Product reformulation will be assessed by measuring changes in the nutritional composition and price of packaged foods and beverages in FLIP. A nationally representative sample of Canadians will be recruited and the foods they eat will be assessed at each time point using a 24-hour recall dietary assessment tool linked with FLIP and consumer surveys will evaluate sociodemographic characteristics and their food labelling knowledge/attitudes/behaviours about FOPL. Approx 12,000 households will provide information on their food purchases. Given the impending implementation of mandatory FOPL regulations in Canada and globally, this research will provide important novel and timely data on the impact of Canada's soon-to-be implemented FOPL regulations, evidence that would not be possible to obtain without the incorporation of brand-specific data into these diet and purchasing assessment tools.