Canada’s front-of-pack (FOP) symbols are making it easier to spot foods that are “High in…” sugar, sodium, or saturated fat. That’s a real win for busy parents and school staff: a quick glance at the front of a package helps you decide whether something should be a regular lunch staple or an occasional treat. Here’s how to use that cue — and how a few tidy labels of your own can remove the guesswork at pickup time.
Use the front of pack as your shortcut
When you’re shopping or assembling lunchboxes, treat the FOP symbol as a fast filter. If a snack carries a “High in…” mark, consider it an occasional item rather than daily fare. For packaged options you do keep, check the serving size next — that tells you whether the package holds one portion or several.
Add your own signals (so teachers don’t have to ask)
Small, visible stickers let you add the one-line notes that matter: “Contains: milk,” “Keep chilled,” or “Eat by 12:30.” They reduce morning calls and confused volunteers. A few practical ways to use them:
- Stick a short reheating or storage note on the lid of a prepared meal so staff know whether it needs warming.
- Add a quick allergen dot or short text on sandwich bags for easy scanning during lunch service.
- Use cheerful sticker reminders on little ones’ boxes—“Open me!” or “Fruit first!”—to nudge them toward balanced choices.
If you need bulk, reorderable labels for school programs or catering, a custom sticker option makes it easy to print consistent allergen icons and reheating instructions at scale. (Bulk labels work well for cafeterias or community programs where the same sticker gets used repeatedly.)
For everyday household use, simple rolls or sheets that are already themed are handy: a subtle matte black “hand-made” or clean round label can be used for discreet allergen notes, while a small colorful “thank you” sticker is perfect for kids’ lunches—encouraging them to try something new without being preachy.
Pack smarter with simple swaps and labels
- Whole fruit over high-sugar bars: if a snack shows the FOP symbol, try swapping it for a piece of fruit plus a small handful of seeds—same satisfaction, less added sugar.
- Label what matters: a one-word sticker (“allergy: nut”) plus a date is more useful than a long paragraph.
- Teach the habit: show kids the “pause” rule — spot a “High in…” symbol? That’s a treat day, not an everyday pick.
Why this helps families and programs
The FOP changes make it easier to judge packaged foods quickly; your stickers make it actionable when food leaves the home. Together they reduce guesswork for caregivers, limit unnecessary sugar or salt in daily lunches, and give small caterers a low-effort way to communicate safety and storage details.