Bringing clarity to the aisle: Front-of-Packaging workshop comes to London

Big changes are coming to Canadian grocery shelves, and food and beverage professionals will converge in London next month to prepare. On October 17, Fanshawe College and Food Processing Skills Canada (FPSC), in partnership with LEDC, Food Producers of Canada (FPC), and the Southern Ontario Network for Advanced Manufacturing Innovation (SONAMI), will host a one-day workshop dedicated to front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labelling and supplemented foods regulations, bringing together industry leaders, regulators and experts for a deep dive into one of the most significant policy shifts facing the sector. 

The workshop comes at a critical time. By January 1, 2026, the federal requirements will be fully in effect, meaning pre-packaged foods high in sodium, sugars or saturated fats must carry clear, front-facing symbols. For many companies, the change will influence not only compliance but also product development, packaging design, marketing and consumer perception. 

Facilitated by Dr. William Yan, former executive at Health Canada’s Food Directorate, the event is designed to give participants a balance of regulatory insights and practical, hands-on tools. The morning will focus on interpreting the regulations, including symbols, thresholds, exemptions and design considerations, while the afternoon will offer case studies, mock product exercises and opportunities for direct feedback from experts. 

The workshop is intended to serve professionals at every stage of preparation. Some businesses are already well along in the process, while others are just beginning to adapt. Attendees will leave with a certificate of attendance, along with workbooks and templates they can bring back to their teams to guide implementation. 

“London, Ontario’s vibrant food processing community and leadership in innovation make it the perfect place for this workshop on front-of-pack labelling and supplemented foods regulations,” says Jennefer Griffith, executive director of Food Processing Skills Canada. “This event will give businesses the tools and guidance they need to stay compliant, competitive, and ready to thrive.” 

The event is supported by partners and sponsors including the LEDC and SONAMI. For LEDC, the sponsorship reflects the city’s growing role as a hub for agri-food innovation and regulatory readiness. By backing events that equip businesses with tools for compliance, the organization is helping ensure that London’s food processors remain competitive in a changing market. SONAMI’s involvement highlights the importance of advanced technologies and applied research in supporting manufacturers through transitions like these. 

“Events like this create a bridge between policy and practice,” says Josh Taylor, manager of business development at LEDC. “By supporting workshops that bring regulators and businesses together, we’re helping take the guesswork out of compliance and making sure our local companies are ready to succeed.” 

The full-day session runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fanshawe’s main campus and is priced at $99 per person, a reduced rate from the standard $399 fee. It is expected to attract food and beverage manufacturers, quality assurance professionals, regulatory affairs specialists, product developers, importers, distributors, marketers, consultants and inspectors — anyone with a stake in ensuring Canadian products are ready for the January 2026 deadline. 

“Workshops like this give businesses a chance to go beyond the regulations on paper and really understand what they mean in practice,” says Taylor. “By fostering collaboration between regulators, experts and industry, we’re helping local companies prepare for the future with confidence.” 

For London, the workshop highlights the city’s growing role as a hub for agri-food innovation and regulatory readiness. With Southwestern Ontario home to a large cluster of food processors and manufacturers, the event provides a timely opportunity to strengthen the sector’s capacity to meet consumer demand for transparency and healthier options, while keeping businesses competitive in a changing market. 

Registration is open now through FPSC, with limited spaces available.