New threat to the Labeling Law in Argentina
Within the framework of World Food Day, civil society organizations are warning about another potential setback to the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, stemming from ongoing negotiations within MERCOSUR.
In April of this year, the Common Market Group (GMC) instructed Working Subgroup No. 3 to resume negotiations for a Technical Regulation on Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling, with the goal of harmonizing regulations among member countries of the bloc. If approved, this regulation would include, among other elements, the unification of a graphic warning system and a nutrient profile model (NPM).
If such a regulation is adopted, MERCOSUR countries would be required to adapt their national front-of-package labeling standards to align with the bloc’s decision. It is important to highlight that Argentina currently has the most robust front-of-package labeling system in the region. If, during the harmonization process, elements from other countries’ systems were incorporated, the local regulation would be seriously weakened. Adopting lower standards would represent a step backward in the protection of the right to health, adequate nutrition, and access to information in our country.
Why is this a threat?
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Argentina’s front-of-package labeling system warns about a greater number of excessive critical nutrients than those used in other countries.
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It is the only one that includes precautionary statements for caffeine and sweeteners, warning against their consumption by children and adolescents.
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The Argentine system is based on the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Nutrient Profile Model, which covers many more unhealthy products than those addressed by other national models.
For these reasons, we call for any future harmonization within MERCOSUR to fully adopt the Argentine system, to prevent the weakening of the Labeling Law and the resulting setback in public health protection. We urge Argentine representatives to defend the rights that have been achieved.
Within this context, together with other civil society organizations, we are relaunching the campaign “Don’t Cover Our Eyes”, first developed in 2021, now with the goal of raising awareness about the need to defend the law against these threats.
Furthermore, as part of collaborative work with various academic and civil society organizations across the region, regional institutions from Argentina, Brazil, and Uruguay have recently issued a joint statement, recognizing the Argentine system as the model to follow for a potential common technical regulation on front-of-package labeling.
Organizations committed to the right to food from different MERCOSUR countries will participate as observers in the upcoming Working Subgroup No. 3 meeting, to be held in October, to closely monitor the progress of these discussions.
More information:
Contact:
Maga Merlo — magamerlov@fundeps.org
