Tag Archive for: Front Labeling

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History not to repeat: in Uruguay the industry managed to accommodate the labeling in its favor

Through a regulatory decree, Uruguay modified the criteria established for the application of warning stamps on food products. With the new resolution, the limits to critical nutrients were relaxed and companies will be able to sell their products with high levels of sodium, sugar and fat, without being reached by the regulations.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”

By 2018, Uruguay became the third country in the Americas to adopt the frontal labeling system for food warnings. This public health measure, widely celebrated by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), was intended to be part of the response to malnutrition that affects 34% of Uruguayan children of school age. For its part, Decree 272/2018, within its clauses, granted companies an adaptation period of 18 months, enough time for the food industry to accommodate the political scenario in its favor. Thus, the entry into force and inspection of the measure was only set for March 1, 2020.

However, when the time came, the implementation of Decree 272 was not a priority. After many twists and turns, the government approved another decree (246/020) which not only extended the effective date of mandatory labeling to February 2021, but also established important variations to the original rule.

In Uruguay, the strategies used by the industry were the same as those used in other countries where front labeling was also discussed (Peru, Chile, Mexico and currently Argentina). The dilation of times, the sponsorship of specialists for the dissemination of biased research, as well as the denial and proposal of alternatives without scientific basis, are part of their best-known tactics that seek to protect only their economic interests.

Thus, far from being the Ministry of Public Health the one that proposed and announced modifications based on scientific evidence free of conflict of interest, the one in charge of doing so was the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Mining. Hence, it is not surprising to observe that the changes made by the government have revolved around the PAHO nutrient profile system, giving rise to a more flexible and friendly regulation with the food industry, and in evident damage to public health .

In this way, food companies in Uruguay today have the possibility of selling as stamp-free products those that contain 20% more sodium (from 400 to 500mg), 30% more sugars (from 10 to 13g) , 45% more saturated fat (9 to 13g) and 50% more total fat (4 to 6g), in portions of 100 grams or 100 milliliters.

For this reason, according to a statement from the Civil Society Alliance for the control of Non-Communicable Diseases, “the main products benefiting from this flexibility will be those with excess sugars and fats, in particular dairy products and desserts. , which are often advertised as healthy and with which the Food Industry carries out an aggressive marketing strategy, aimed at boys and girls. This (vulnerable) population will be the main recipient of these changes, given that many of these products will no longer have the label despite continuing to be just as harmful to their health ”.

In a critical context of the increase in Noncommunicable Diseases, the complicity of the Uruguayan government with the interests of the industry is not understood. According to PAHO statistics, Uruguay is among the Latin American countries that registered the highest increase in the consumption of ultra-processed products between 2000 and 2013, translating into an increase of 146%.

Given that the consumption of these products with excesses, are the main contributors to the generation of these diseases, it becomes necessary the existence and application of public policies that effectively protect the right to health of the population, especially those groups in a situation vulnerability, as are children and adolescents. Likewise, the importance of ensuring that public health policy-making processes are free of conflict of interest and industry interference is highlighted. Well, these must be based on the best available scientific evidence and not on the economic interests of a particular sector.

From Fundeps and SANAR, we join the claims of Civil Society Organizations that require the Uruguayan government to implement a frontal food labeling that protects and guarantees the right of access to information by consumers, as well as the right to health of Uruguayans.

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“Contains” half a sanction in the front food labeling law

With 64 positive votes and 3 negative votes, the Argentine Senate gave a half sanction to the project of frontal warning labeling. With the approval of the Chamber of Deputies, it would become law.

Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The debate on the text took place in the framework of an extensive session that took place on Thursday, October 29, which included different topics. The project, which understands labeling as the gateway to the adoption of other food policies, is based on the best standards recognized by human rights organizations and public health institutions.

Among the highlights of the text of the project are:

  • Use of the warning system for black octagons, with the legend “excess in”
  • Inclusion of the PAHO nutrient profile system.
  • Prohibition of all types of advertising on products that carry at least one black stamp; including the use of animated characters, prizes or gifts and the restriction on the use of claims
  • Inclusion of the legend: “contains sweeteners, not recommended for children” “contains caffeine. avoid in children ”
  • Prohibition of the promotion, offer and commercialization of products that have at least one black in school settings.

The next step is the discussion of the text in the Chamber of Deputies. We ask the members of the Lower House to accompany this project, give support to the text without modifications in order to reach the final sanction and consolidate this historic advance in the right to health and adequate food.

The project with half a penalty

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org

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Clear labeling now: not a step back

From Fundeps we are addressing the senators to express the importance of their vote in favor of the Front Warning Labeling Law, which already has a favorable opinion from the Health and Industry and Commerce commissions.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

The growth in obesity and overweight rates in our country is alarming and has been growing steadily in both boys, girls and adolescents as well as in the adult population; and advertising, lack of information and misconceptions about the nutritional value of what we consume are among the main contributing factors in the development of this epidemic.

In Argentina there is no food labeling system established by law that informs consumers in a clear, truthful and simple way if that product contains nutrients critical to their health. In this sense, scientific evidence clearly shows that frontal warning labeling is the best regulatory option to facilitate decisions that protect health. International organizations specializing in public health, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) have clearly spoken out in favor of frontal warning labeling.

Furthermore, international human rights obligations require active policies based on scientific evidence that protect the right to health and the right to food. Recently, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dainius Püras, issued a statement calling on States to address the global impact of non-communicable diseases by adopting front-of-packaging labeling policies. for food.

Regarding which cut-off points should be used to determine when a product contains an excess of any of the critical ingredients (sugar, sodium, fat, calories), the nutrient profile model of the Pan American Health Organization – defined by a an institution that is a benchmark in public health interventions – it constitutes the highest standard of protection. This system has been adopted in the laws of countries in the region, such is the case of Chile and, recently, Mexico.

Senators have the opportunity to take this policy one step further. The experiences in countries such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay and -recently- Mexico show that it is possible to advance in evidence-based measures that address the specific needs of our countries and prioritize the human right to health and food. adequate above the interests of the industry.

More information

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org

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Tags yes

In Argentina there is no food labeling system established by law that informs consumers clearly, truthfully and simply what it is that we are consuming. Front warning labeling with black octagons provides straightforward information that allows consumers to quickly and easily identify products that contain excess amounts of critical nutrients.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

There are different types of front labeling. Scientific evidence, free of conflicts of interest, has clearly shown that warning labeling on the front of the container is the best regulatory option to facilitate decisions that protect health. Recently, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the right to health, Dainius Püras, issued a statement in which he urged States not to remain passive in the face of Chronic Noncommunicable Diseases -ECNT- and to address in a proactive and comprehensive manner preventable risk factors related to CNCDs and specified in a specific public health regulatory measure, such as frontal warning labeling, characterized as an effective intervention to protect public health.

Why is it necessary that the implementation of labeling occurs through a binding law and not through self-regulation? Self-regulation and voluntary commitments, in general, have not obtained satisfactory results. Evidence has clearly shown that industry self-regulation does not work, generally self-regulatory codes include weak and therefore ineffective restriction guidelines. Furthermore, their participation is voluntary and there are no monitoring, sanctions or supervision mechanisms. In this framework, the promotion of self-regulation also functions as an obstacle for the promotion of public policies and should be avoided by governments.

For their part, conflicts of interest refer to situations in which there is a confrontation between the public interest and a private interest that could unduly influence the adoption of a policy. In this case, it is the existence of interests unrelated to public health that prevent decisions from being made or actions aimed at protecting health from being carried out. With this criterion, organizations linked to the food industry should be excluded from decision-making spaces both locally and globally. Likewise, in order to protect decision-making spaces in matters of public health, transparency must be ensured. It is essential to have information about the people and institutions involved.

The State has the duty and obligation to guarantee, protect and respect the right to health and adequate food. The experiences in countries such as Chile, Peru, Uruguay and -recently- Mexico show that it is possible to advance in evidence-based measures that address the specific needs of our countries and prioritize the human right to health and food. adequate.

More information

Front labeling of warnings: a necessary policy to protect the right to health – Fundeps

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org

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National government seek to agree a new model of food labeling

In a context of alarming prevalence of childhood obesity and overweight, Argentina aims to move towards a new model of food labeling. The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Production seek to agree on the model to be followed in our country.

“Below, we offer a google translate version of the original article in Spanish. This translation may not be accurate but serves as a general presentation of the article. For more accurate information, please switch to the Spanish version of the website. In addition, feel free to directly contact in English the person mentioned at the bottom of this article with regards to this topic”.

At the national level, according to the World School Health Survey (2012), in the last five years, in the group of adolescents aged 13 to 15 years increased excess weight from 24.5% to 28.6%. In turn, the prevalence of obesity increased from 4.4% to 5.9%. The seriousness of the current situation of overweight and obesity in Argentina and in particular the fact of seeing alarming trends among children and adolescents urgently requires health protection policies.

Among them, the advance towards a system of frontal warnings in food products with a high level of critical nutrients (sodium, sugar and fats) is a step in the direction of recommendations by specialized health protection organizations. These measures already have the support of scientific evidence from countries such as Chile, where the warning system has been in force for several years. The Ministry of Health itself recognizes it as the most effective system in its report on frontal nutrition labeling of food published at the end of 2018. In the same sense we have pronounced together with the National Coalition to Prevent Childhood Obesity in Children and Adolescents.

It is very important that the limits to establish these categories are based on guidelines such as the Nutrient Profile of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). Based on the experience of other countries, it is expected that the food industry press so that the content levels to which these warnings apply are very high. Therefore, it is important that it be based on guidelines from a specialized public health agency such as PAHO.

Recently, the current Secretary of Health of the Nation said in the Clarín newspaper that a dialogue has been started with the Ministry of Production to reach a food labeling model that informs the population about the content of critical nutrients (sugar, fats, sodium), and that in turn alert when those nutrients are present above the recommended amounts. The combination of a warning system with other labeling modifications to provide better information on all products in general can be positive as long as it is supported by scientific evidence.

In addition, it is important to keep in mind the interests of the different institutions that participate in these dialogues. In a public health crisis, the criteria that must be prioritized are those that protect the right to health and not so much the economic interests that are channeled through dependencies such as the Ministry of Production. In the same sense and from civil society, attention should be paid to possible conflicts of interest that may exist. For example, in the aforementioned Clarín note, the Center for Studies on Food Policy and Economics (CEPEA) is mentioned, which in the report of the Ministry of Health confirms that it receives financing from the food industry.

Contact

Agustina Mozzoni, agustinamozzoni@fundeps.org