What is the Brand Name Food list?

The list provides nutrition ratings for packaged and franchised foods and beverages to help you find Choose Most and Choose Sometimes items that meet BC's nutrition standards for Schools and public Buildings. The list is meant for ready-to-eat, packaged and franchised foods, not individual ingredients, such as flour, baking soda etc.... Choose fresh, wholesome ingredients over packaged, processed foods as often as possible and use the list when trying to determine the healthiest packaged and franchised foods.

Guidelines for BC Schools

When students eat nutritious food, they are healthier and better learners. Healthy eating emphasizes fresh wholesome ingredients over packaged processed foods. When packaged and franchised foods are sold to students, the Brand Name Food List helps schools make sure those items meet the Guidelines established by the BC Ministries of Education and Health.

According to the Guidelines, at least half of the choices on display should be rated as ‘Choose Most’ and the rest of the items should be ‘Choose Sometimes’. ‘Choose Least’ and ‘Not Recommended’ items should not be sold.

Guidelines for Public Buildings in BC

Up to 30% of all chronic diseases are related to poor nutrition, and more than half of adult British Columbians are overweight or obese.

The nutrition standards for Public Buildings are similar to the ones for BC schools, but a major difference is that caffeinated products are allowed. Many Municipalities and Recreation Centres across BC are also interested in applying the nutritional guidelines for public buildings to their public facilities. This is good news for British Columbians!