Healthcheck - Nutrient Criteria (Grocery)

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Nutrient Criteria

CHANGES TO NUTRIENT CRITERIA The Heart and Stroke Foundation's Health Check program is committed to helping Canadians identify healthy food choices. The Health Check nutrient criteria are based on Canada's Food Guide and also reflect labelling regulations, nutrition trends, eating habits of Canadians, market realities and technology.

As a result of the update to Canada's Food Guide, the Heart and Stroke Foundation has revised its criteria to reflect new statements in the Guide. Health Check's Technical Advisory Committee, made up of dietitians and nutritional experts from across the country, have developed and recommended these changes.

The changes are related to the fat, trans fat, sugar, sodium and fibre criteria. The trans fat criteria are based on Health Canada's acceptance of the Trans Fat Task Force's recommendation that processed trans fat be limited to no more than 5% of total fat. The specific changes to the criteria are highlighted in bold and marked as NEW in each food category affected.

While most products in the program already meet the new criteria, a few companies may have to reformulate their product(s) to meet our new criteria. Product reformations require a great deal of time and resources. Factors such as product development, consumer evaluation, purchasing of new ingredients, packaging, production and inventory control all play a role in the product reformulation process.

The criteria changes for all existing Health Check items must take effect by December 28, 2009. All manufactured products must meet the new criteria levels by this date or forfeit participation in the Health Check program. The Heart and Stroke Foundation encourages all existing Licensees to implement the product reformulations as soon as possible.

All new products entering the program must reflect the new criteria immediately.

The Health Check Program is based on Canada's Food Guide. Different food categories have different nutrient criteria. When applicable, the criteria are defined using Health Canada's Nutrient Content Claims. Definitions of the claims are included in a separate document called "Nutrient Claims".

All products must meet the Health Check criteria for the specific Health Check Serving Size and the on-package serving size. The team of Health Check Registered Dietitians are happy to pre-qualify your product to ensure it meets the Health Check nutrient criteria.

Grain Products

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Bread	50 g	- Low fat or Low saturated fat - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Bread Products (e.g. bagels, pitas, english muffins)	55 g	- Low fat or Low saturated fat - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Hot Breakfast Cereals	40 g, dry	- Low fat or No added fat - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW 11 g or less sugars (excluding sugars from pieces of fruit) except if 4 g or more fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Breakfast Cereals (20 g to 42 g per 250 mL)	30 g	- Low fat or No added fat - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW 6 g or less sugars (excluding sugars from pieces of fruit) except if 4 g or more fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Breakfast Cereals (43 g or more per 250 mL)	55 g	- Low fat or No added fat - High source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW 11 g or less sugars (excluding sugars from pieces of fruit except if 6 g or more fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Very High Fibre Breakfast Cereals (28 g or more fibre per 100 g)	30 g	- Low fat or No added fat - Very high source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Flour	30 g	- Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g
Rusks	30 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 3 g or less per 30 g - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Crackers	20 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 3 g or less per 20 g - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Croutons	20 g	- Low fat per 50g - Source of fibre or at least 5% DV of vitamin A or vitamin C or calcium or iron per 20 g - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Rice Cakes	15 g	- Low fat per 50g - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Waffles / Pancakes	75 g prepared	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Source of fibre NEW 11g or less sugars NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Rice (except Instant Rice) / Grains (plain)	45 g	- All fit - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Instant Rice (plain)	45 g	- Enriched or whole grain - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Pasta	85 g dry 215 g cooked or fresh	- Enriched or Whole grain or High source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Side Dishes - Rice, grains or potatoes (seasoned, sauced)	140 g (prepared)	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Side Dishes - Pasta or noodles (seasoned, sauced)	125 g (prepared)	- Low fat (for 250ml on an 'as sold' basis) - Enriched or Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
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Vegetables & Fruit

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Fruit Juices	250 mL	- All REAL juices fit
Fresh Fruit	140 g	- All fit
Frozen Fruit	150 g	- 100% fruit
Canned Fruit	150 mL	- In light syrup or fruit juice
Apple and other fruit sauces	140 g	- 100% fruit
Dried Fruit Pieces	40 g	- Fruit as first ingredient - Fat free
Fresh and Frozen Vegetables (plain)	85 g (65 g - lettuces)	- All fit
Canned Vegetables (plain)	125 mL	- Sodium: 480 mg or less
Frozen and Canned Vegetables (seasoned, sauced, fried)	Canned 125 mL Frozen 110 g	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Tomato Juice	250 mL	- Sodium: 650 mg or less
Vegetables Juices and Blends	250 mL	- Good source of Vitamin A and/or Folate - Sodium: 650 mg or less

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Milk & Alternatives

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Milk and Milk Based Drinks	250 mL	- Lower fat (2% M.F. or less) - Excellent source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Yogurts	175 g	- Lower fat (2% M.F. or less) - Good source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Yogurt Based Drinks	250 mL	- Lower fat (2% M.F. or less) - Good source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Flavoured Fresh Cheese	100 g	- Lower fat (2% M.F. or less) - Good source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Cheese	30 g	- Lower fat (20% M.F. or less) - Good source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g
Simili Cheese	30 g	- Lower fat (20% M.F. or less) - Good source of calcium - Protein: 5 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g
Fresh Cheese (plain) - ricotta - quark - cottage	55 g 100 g 125 g	- Low fat or Reduced fat - Good source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Plant-based Beverages (e.g. soy beverages)	250 mL	- Fortified / Enriched - Low fat or Low saturated fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
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Meat & Alternatives

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Meats / Poultry (plain, seasoned, coated)	125 g (raw) 100 g (cooked)	- Lean: 10% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from ruminant meat
Meats / Poultry (with sauce)	140 g	- Lean: 10% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from ruminant meat
Ground Meats	100 g (raw) 60 g (cooked)	- Lean: 17% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Patties, meatballs, etc.	100 g (raw) 60 g (cooked)	- Lean: 10% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from ruminant meat
Sausages	55 g (cooked) 75 g (uncooked)	- Lean: 10% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from ruminant meat
Deli Meats / Ham	55 g	- Lean: 10% or less fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from ruminant meat
Fish and Seafood (plain)	125 g (raw) 100 g (cooked)	- Sodium: 480 mg or less
Fish and Seafood (seasoned or coated)	125 g (raw) 100 g (cooked)	- Extra lean: 7.5% or less fat or No added fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Fish and Seafood (sauced)	140 g (cooked)	- Extra lean: 7.5% or less fat or No added fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Canned Fish and Seafood (packed in broth or water)	55 g	- Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Canned Fish and Seafood (seasoned, sauced)	55 g	- Lean: 10 % or less fat or No added fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Processed Fish (e.g. crab imitation, surimi)	55 g	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Dried Legumes	100 g	- All fit
Frozen and Canned Legumes (plain)	250 mL, drained	- Sodium: 480 mg or less
Canned Legumes (prepared)	125 mL	- Total fat: 3 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Tofu	85 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less
Tofu and vegetables	140 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Vegetarian Burgers and Meatballs	60 g (cooked)	- Total fat: 10% or less - Protein: 5 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Vegetarian Meat Alternatives (seitan, Veggie Ground Meat, simulated cutlet, simulated meat strips, etc.)	60 g (cooked)	- Total fat: 10% or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Vegetarian Terrines, Spreads or Pâtés	55 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less - Protein: 5 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Eggs	1 egg	- All fit
Egg Substitutes	50 g	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Nuts, Seeds or Ready to Eat Dried Legumes(e.g. soybeans)* *plain, uncoated /coconut not eligible	50 g shelled (30 g shelled if not use as snacks)	- No added salt
Nuts and Seeds Butters	15 g (peanut butter) 30 g (others)	- Nuts or seeds as the 1st ingredient - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
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Other Foods

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Soy or tofu desserts	125 mL	- Low in saturated fat - Total fat: 5 g or less - Protein: 3.5 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Snack Foods (e.g. popcorn, pretzels, chips)	50 g	- Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Oils	10 mL	- Low saturated fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 2% or less of total fat
Margarines	10 g	- Low saturated fat - Non hydrogenated - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 2% or less of total fat
Light Margarines	10 g	- Reduced fat (50% less fat than regular margarine) - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 2% or less of total fat
Salad dressings Serving on the label should be 15 ml except if total fat is less than 30% (10 g per 30 ml)	Mayonnaise 15 mL Vinaigrettes 30 mL	- Low saturated fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Dips	30 mL	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less* - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW: Total fat: 7.4g or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Olives	15 g	- Low saturated fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Grain - based Bars	30 g or 40 g (if filled or coated)	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less* - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW 50% or less carbohydrate from sugars *NEW Total fat change to 6 g or less with a maximum of 7.4 g per labelled serving NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Muffins / Snack Breads	55 g (maximum serving of 100g)	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less* - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW 50% or less carbohydrate from sugars *NEW Total fat change to 7.4 g or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Cookies	30 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 10 g or less* - Source of fibre - Sodium: 480 mg or less per 50 g NEW 50% or less carbohydrate from sugars *NEW Total fat change to 6 g or less with a maximum of 7.4 g per labelled serving NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Dried Fruit Snacks	40 g	- No sugar added - No fat added
NEW Sorbet and Fruit Bars	Sorbet 125 mL Fruit Bars 75 mL	NEW No sugar added NEW Source of Vitamin C or A or Folate
Puddings / Flans / Frozen Dairy Desserts	125 mL	- Low fat - Source of calcium - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat if the fat does not originate exclusively from dairy products
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Combination Foods

Food Category	Serving Size	Entry-Level Nutrient Criteria
Soups	250 mL	- Low fat - Sodium: 650 mg or less - Source of vitamin A or C or iron or calcium or folate or fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Dinners & Entrees / Mixed Dishes	250 g	OPTION #1 - Total fat: 10 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 960 mg or less* NEW Sodium Change to 720 mg or less* NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat OPTION #2 - Low in saturated fat - Total fat: 15 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 960 mg or less* NEW Sodium Change to 720 mg or less* NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Pizza	140 g	- Total fat: 10 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Vegetarian or Meat Pies	140 g	OPTION #1 - Total fat: 10 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat OPTION #2 - Low in saturated fat - Total fat: 15 g or less - Protein: 10 g or more - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Major Main Entrée Sauce (such as pasta sauce)	125 mL	OPTION #1 - Low fat - Sodium: 480 mg or less - Source of vitamin A or C or iron or calcium or folate or fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat OPTION #2 - Low saturated fat -Total fat: 5 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less - Source of vitamin A or C or iron or calcium or folate or fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Minor Main Entrée Sauce (pesto sauce, pizza sauce, cheese sauce, salsa, etc.)	60 mL	- Low saturated fat -Total fat: 5 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less - Source of vitamin A or C or iron or calcium or folate or fibre NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Potato and Pasta Salads	140 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 7.4 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Other Salads	100 g	- Low saturated fat - Total fat: 7.4 g or less - Sodium: 480 mg or less NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Dried Fruit and Nut Mixture	50 g	- No added salt NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat
Nut and/or Seed Bars (with or without dried fruit)	35 g	- No added salt NEW Trans fat: 5% or less of total fat

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Last Updated ( Friday, August 08, 2008 )

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