New Agri-Food Analytics Lab research, supported by Blendtek Ingredients, finds strong consumer awareness but shows taste and affordability remain critical
HALIFAX, N.S. – September 29, 2026 – One in two Canadians says Canada’s new front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labels have already changed what they buy at the grocery store, according to new research from the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University, supported by Blendtek Ingredients.
Since January 1, 2026, most prepackaged foods meeting or exceeding established thresholds for sodium, sugars or saturated fat have been required to display Health Canada’s standardized “high in” nutrition symbol.
Based on a national survey of 1,000 Canadian adults responsible for grocery shopping, conducted through the Angus Reid Forum, the study examines awareness and understanding of the labels, changes in purchasing behaviour, affordability and consumer attitudes toward product reformulation.
Key findings
- 94.2% of Canadian grocery shoppers are aware of FOP nutrition symbols, and 86.9% say they understand them well.
- 51.3% have decided not to purchase a product because of an FOP warning, while 50.5% have switched to another product in the same category.
- 64.0% expect the labels to influence their future food purchases.
- Affordability remains a major constraint: 58% are unwilling to pay more for a comparable product without an FOP warning.
- Reformulation presents an opportunity: 45.4% are likely or very likely to try a product reformulated to eliminate an FOP warning, while 46.8% say reformulation would increase their trust in the brand.
- Snack foods are the category most affected, with 51.0% reporting an impact on purchasing decisions, followed by frozen meals (41.3%), soups and broths (39.0%), breakfast cereals (38.2%) and processed meats (37.1%).
“Front-of-package labelling represents one of the most significant changes to Canada’s packaged-food environment in years,” said Dr. Sylvain Charlebois, Senior Director of the Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University. “One in two consumers tell us these labels are already affecting purchasing decisions. The next question is how manufacturers respond through reformulation and innovation, particularly when consumers remain highly sensitive to taste and price.”
For food manufacturers, reducing sodium, sugars or saturated fat while maintaining taste, texture, functionality, shelf stability and affordability can require significant reformulation and changes to ingredient systems.
“Reformulation is about more than simply reducing sodium, sugar or saturated fat,” said Kris Rogers, VP of Sales & Marketing of Blendtek Ingredients. “The challenge is improving nutritional profiles while preserving the functionality, taste and overall experience consumers expect.”
The findings also reveal a fundamental tension between nutrition and affordability. Consumers may prefer products without warning labels, but most are unwilling to pay more for them, suggesting that price could limit the extent to which nutritional information translates into purchasing behaviour.
“Consumers are clearly paying attention, but taste and affordability still matter enormously,” Charlebois added. “As manufacturers choose to reformulate to avoid these labels, we could see a new generation of packaged foods with different nutritional profiles. Reformulation may ultimately become the new norm, reshaping the products Canadians find on grocery shelves.”
WEBINAR – OCTOBER 14, 2026
Featuring Dr. Sylvain Charlebois and Kris Rogers, VP of Sales & Marketing, from Blendtek Ingredients, the webinar will present the research’s findings and their implications for the food industry, as well as examine consumer responses to FOP nutrition symbols and what the new regulatory environment means for food formulation, innovation and product development.
Webinar: Beyond the Label: What Canada’s New Front-of-Pack Rules Mean for Consumers and Food Manufacturers
Date & Time: October 14, 2026 | 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. ET
Registration: Click Here to Access Registration Link
About the Agri-Food Analytics Lab
The Agri-Food Analytics Lab at Dalhousie University is an independent research hub dedicated to understanding the future of food and agri-food systems through data and analytics. Its research examines food economics, consumer behaviour, food security, supply chains, policy and innovation.
About Blendtek Ingredients
Blendtek is an extremely customer-centric, privately-owned distributor and manufacturer of a wide variety of food ingredients and functional food systems. Food and beverage manufacturers across North America rely on Blendtek’s in-house Product Development and Technical Services teams to create innovative new products and solve difficult reformulation challenges.
Media Contact
Dr. Sylvain Charlebois
Senior Director, Agri-Food Analytics Lab Dalhousie University
sylvain.charlebois@dal.ca
902-222-4142
Vicki Waschkowski
Blendtek Ingredients
marketing@blendtek.com
416-816-8098
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