Love them or hate them, emojis are going nowhere

Canada’s Most and Least Used Food Emojis
Firstly, our survey highlighted that men use less food emojis than women. In fact, almost half of men surveyed (49%) said that they never used food emojis, compared to only 35% of women.
Interestingly, our survey data revealed that the birthday cake emoji was the most frequently used food emoji of them all, with 22% of Canadians surveyed saying they use this emoji most often.
The birthday cake is used most frequently by those in the 55+ age group, with almost a quarter (24%) of those surveyed in this age bracket saying it is their most used food emoji. On the other hand, the eggplant emoji is frequently used by Gen Zs, with 24% of 18-24 year olds claiming that this is their most used food emoji.
This could possibly highlight a generational difference in the reason people use emojis; some to convey meaning and others to convey humour and light-hearted insinuations.

Food Emojis Canadians Want To Be Released Right Now
The survey data also highlighted gaps in the available food emoji range. Those surveyed suggested that the emojis they want to be released right now include more foods from different cultures, more vegan food and a greater variety of cheeses and pastries.
It is interesting to see Canadians desiring more vegan food emojis, as well as more diet-based food emojis such as vegan, vegetarian, plant-based and pescetarian emojis being highlighted. Initiatives such as meat-free Monday and Veganuary could have something to do with this heightened interest, as well as these diets becoming more and more commonplace within our society.
It is also interesting to see a desire for more food emojis from other cultures. For example, Indian and African foods were highlighted, as well as specific Mexican foods such as fajitas. A greater variety of traditionally French delicacies such as cheeses and pastries were also requested, perhaps due to the French contingent in Canada, particularly in Quebec.
10 Of The Food-Related Emojis Canadians Want Released Right Now
- A greater variety of cheeses and pastries
- More Indian
- More African foods
- Cakes with adjustable colour
- wider variety - including baked, mashed, hash brown etc
- Chowder
- Poutine
- Fajitas
- Smoothies
- A vegan, vegetarian, plant-based and pescetarian food emojis
Each year, a list of new emojis are presented for consideration and approval. 2022/23’s new emojis up for approval in September include a shaking face, a plain pink heart, a donkey and the Khanda, the symbol of the Sikh faith. So far, none on the list highlighted in our survey data have made the list, but we will watch this space.

Ontario: The Food Emoji Capital Of Canada
Our survey data highlighted that Ontario residents use food emojis the most, whose favourite emoji was again, the birthday cake, followed by the eggplant and then pizza emojis.
Top 5 Provinces That Use Food Emojis The Most:
- Ontario
- Quebec
- British Columbia
- Alberta
- Saskatchewan

