Should Sugar-Free Gum Keep Its 'Sugar-Free' Label?
Official title: Proposal to modify the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims (free of sugars)
A regulatory glitch accidentally made sugar-free chewing gum ineligible for the 'free of sugars' label. Health Canada wants to fix this by restoring an exemption that was unintentionally removed in 2022. Without the fix, gum makers would have to change their labels by December 31, 2025.
Why This Matters
Chew sugar-free gum? This is about keeping the labels you trust accurate. It's a technical fix, but it shows how small regulatory changes can have unintended ripple effects on everyday products.
What Could Change
The exemption for chewing gum would be restored in the nutrient content claims table. Gum manufacturers could continue labelling their products as 'sugar-free' without reformulating or relabelling. No transition period would be needed since this removes a restriction rather than adding one.
Key Issues
- Should the chewing gum exemption be restored for 'free of sugars' claims?
- Is the proposed wording for the regulatory fix appropriate?
How to Participate
- Review the Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims to understand the current requirements.
- Email your comments to food.ibr-ipr.aliments@hc-sc.gc.ca with 'Free of sugars (P-ANC-25-01)' in the subject line.
Key Documents
- Table of Permitted Nutrient Content Statements and Claims (opens in new tab)
- Notice of Proposal: Incorporating by Reference the Table (2018) (opens in new tab)
- Notice of Modification: Incorporating by Reference the Table (2022) (opens in new tab)
- Regulations Amending the Food and Drug Regulations (July 2022) (opens in new tab)