What is it for? Which products does it apply to? And most importantly, how can you use it to make more informed choices? We’re taking a closer look at the topic… under a magnifying glass!
As of January 1, 2026, a magnifying glass icon must appear on the front of processed food packaging that contains high levels of saturated fat, sugar or sodium. The goal is clear: first, to help consumers make more informed choices; but also to encourage the industry to improve the nutritional quality of its products.
In Canada, nearly half of the average daily energy intake comes from ultra-processed foods, which are often high in saturated fat, sugar, or sodium. In the categories studied by the Observatory, 60% of processed foods purchased in Quebec exceeded the threshold set for at least one nutrient and would therefore have been required to display the magnifying glass symbol as of January 1, 2026.
The front-of-package nutrition symbol is a simple and effective tool for quickly identifying products high in saturated fat, sugar, and sodium. When combined with other information on the packaging, such as the nutrition facts table and the ingredients list, it helps guide us toward making more informed food choices.
To read the full article (French only): https://centdegres.ca/ressources/nouveau-symbole-nutritionnel-obligatoire-tout-ce-qu-il-faut-savoir