More than 300 Organizations Reject the Possible Repeal of the Front-of-Package Labeling Law

Through Bill No. 186/26 submitted by the Executive Branch, which proposes repealing Law No. 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating, the national government seeks to dismantle one of the country’s most important public health policies, despite overwhelming local and international scientific evidence demonstrating its effectiveness.

The National Government has submitted to Congress a bill to fully repeal the law popularly known as the “Front-of-Package Labeling Law,” a measure that public health and consumer rights organizations describe as a serious setback for the right to information and the protection of public health.

The bill, signed by President Javier Milei, Chief of Staff Manuel Adorni, and Minister of Health Mario Lugones, argues that the repeal is necessary to reduce “regulatory and economic constraints and harmonize criteria within MERCOSUR.” However, more than 300 civil society and academic organizations reject the initiative because it could eliminate a comprehensive policy specifically designed to protect public health—especially that of children and adolescents—and guarantee consumers’ access to information.

A Direct Attack on the Right to Information and Health

The government’s repeal proposal has sparked deep concern among civil society organizations and the scientific community, which warn that it would leave citizens completely unprotected. Law No. 27,642 not only establishes warning labels on food packaging; it also regulates advertising of ultra-processed products aimed at children, promotes healthy school environments, and prohibits marketing strategies for foods with excessive levels of critical nutrients. Repealing the law would mean immediately dismantling the entire protection system.

Contrary to the Executive Branch’s claims that the system is “inconsistent” or “oversimplified,” several studies conducted by Argentina’s Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and FIC Argentina after the law’s implementation demonstrate that the warning labels work:

• Support for the law: 90% of people agree that black warning labels make it quick and easy to identify unhealthy products.
• Changes in purchase intentions: More than half of the population reported changing their intention to purchase beverages (63%), yogurt (62%), and cookies (50%).
• Changes in perception: A study conducted by UNICEF and FIC showed that front-of-package labeling is perceived as a tool that helps “unmask misleading claims” by revealing the true nutritional composition of products. Following the law’s implementation, there was a significant decrease in the number of people who perceived products high in critical nutrients—such as yogurt, breakfast cereals, and juice—as healthy.
• Active and everyday use: 55.9% of Argentinians use black warning labels “always or almost always” as a primary guide when making purchasing decisions.

Before the law was enacted, according to the 2019 National Nutrition and Health Survey, only 13% of the population was able to interpret the complex traditional nutritional information displayed on the back of packaging. The octagonal warning labels democratized access to information for the entire population, regardless of educational level.

The Fallacy of Regional Harmonization

The Executive’s bill argues that regional harmonization within MERCOSUR is necessary. However, organizations and experts warn that the models currently under discussion in the region are considerably less effective than Argentina’s current system, which is based on the Pan American Health Organization Nutrient Profile Model (NPM), considered the most accurate and protective system in the region.

For example, while the Argentine model rigorously identifies harmful excess sugars in 68% of yogurts on the market, the Uruguayan model only flags 9%, and the Brazilian model a mere 1%. Likewise, the octagonal warning label system has proven to be clearer and more effective than the “magnifying glass” model used in Brazil, better capturing consumers’ attention and promoting substantially healthier purchasing decisions.

“We strongly reject this measure, which represents a direct attack on public health. There are no health or scientific arguments that justify repealing the Labeling Law. Moving forward with this proposal would deprive the population of a simple and effective tool for making informed decisions, and would constitute a serious setback for the right to health and adequate food.”

Academic institutions, public health organizations, and human rights groups are urgently calling on members of the National Congress to prioritize the strong scientific evidence available, firmly reject this attempt at regression, and defend the right to health and transparent information for all people in Argentina.

Contact:
Maga Ailén Merlo Vijarra, magamerlov@fundeps.org