New food packaging symbols appear as grocery code takes effect in Canada
Posted January 2, 2026 7:48 am.
Starting today, shoppers across Canada may notice a new magnifying glass symbol on the front of some processed food packages.
The symbol is now required on products that contain high levels of sugar, sodium or saturated fat, and is designed to give consumers quick, at-a-glance nutritional information.
A study published last May by Université Laval found that nearly 60 per cent of the best-selling processed foods in Quebec fall under the new labelling rules. Certain categories, such as ice cream, are expected to be widely affected, while others will allow consumers to compare similar products with and without the symbol.
Experts say the new labels are unlikely to have an immediate impact on grocery bills. Over time, however, they could help slow price increases and push manufacturers to improve the nutritional quality of their products.
New code to regulate relations between grocers and suppliers
A long-awaited code governing the relationship between grocery retailers and their suppliers has officially taken effect in Canada, creating new oversight in an industry that has faced growing scrutiny.
At the centre of the initiative is an independent office responsible for handling complaints, mediating disagreements and, when necessary, overseeing arbitration between retailers and suppliers. Companies that choose to participate will contribute through annual fees to support the office’s work.
Several of the country’s largest grocery chains, including Loblaw, Metro, Walmart Canada and Costco Canada, have signed on to the code.
The move comes as food prices continue to rise faster in Canada than in the United States, with inflation currently estimated at 4.7 per cent compared with 1.9 per cent south of the border. While the code does not include fines or other financial penalties, it relies on public accountability. Each year, a report will outline which companies are cooperating with the framework and which are not.
Industry analysts say shoppers are unlikely to see immediate changes at the checkout. Still, over time, the new rules could help ease upward pressure on prices and support improvements in the quality and nutritional value of food sold in Canadian grocery stores.
