The objective of this work was to identify those factors that facilitate and hinder the implementation of Law 27,642 in relation to public purchases for school canteens in 5 Argentine provinces. At the same time, recommendations are made to be distributed between the executive and legislative branches of the jurisdictions.
From Fundeps, Fundación Sanar and Anfibia Podcast we launched “Exceso de Todo”, a podcast narrated by Lucas Fridman, which runs from the controversy around the octagons and focuses on healthy eating.
“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”.
Almost a year ago, the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating began to be implemented in Argentina, better known as the Law of Frontal Labeling. The black octagons that we see on the products are the ones that generated the most debate, but they represent one of the components of the law.
The objective of this podcast is to bring all the points that make it up and tell in 5 episodes how we eat in Argentina and what we need to eat better. It also addresses everything from advertising regulation to what can be eaten in schools, how public purchases for school and community canteens are managed and why when we talk about food it is not about individual choices.
The testimonies it gathers are from members of organizations that promoted it, journalists, leaders in nutrition and food, environment, people from the advertising industry, among others.
The episodes will premiere weekly on Thursdays until August 17. The podcast will be broadcast on Spotify and on all audio platforms.
Contact
Maga Merlo, magamerlov@fundeps.org
On August 9 and 10 we will hold the 1st Congress of Food Policies in Argentina in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires. It is organized by Fundeps and Fundación Sanar.
“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”.
With the participation of national and international speakers, for 2 days we will talk about the progress and challenges of the 1 year anniversary of the implementation of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, known as the labeling law.
We will share views and opportunities for joint work between students and health professionals, the educational community, state authorities, organizations that work for the right to health, the environment, among other actors.
The congress will take place at SCALA HOTEL (BERNARDO DE IRIGOYEN 740, CABA).
It is free and with limited seats. Requires prior registration.
See the full program and speakers here.
The objective of this document is to provide simple, clear and timely information about the scope of Law 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating so that the various people that make up the educational community become agents of change that accompany the new food paradigm in the school environments.
The construction of healthy school environments is essential to promote healthy eating in childhood and adolescence. In this document, we gather recommendations and suggestions for the authorities in the field of education to move forward in this regard, based on the implementation of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating and the adoption of complementary measures.
Through this initiative, FIC Argentina, FAGRAN, Fundación Sanar, Fundeps and Consciente Colectivo seek to promote a citizenry committed to the labeling law and thus generate the first citizen report on its compliance. The initiative arises from the identification of various breaches and the lack of effective control by the State.
“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”.
Let’s not let it pass” is the new campaign launched today by FIC Argentina, FAGRAN, Fundación Sanar, Fundeps and Consciente Colectivo to promote an informed citizenry and committed to the effective implementation of the labeling law. The nationwide campaign seeks to generate a citizen report on the state of compliance with the law, 10 months after the start of its implementation.
In 2021, the organizations promoted the campaign “Don’t cover our eyes” to promote the approval of the law and, on this occasion, they meet again so that this public health measure is effectively complied with. The campaign emphasizes some components of the law referring to the presence and characteristics of the seals (their size, location on the container, for example) as well as their disposition in the gondola.
“A few months ago we carried out a research study to find out how the law is being implemented and we detected that in 83% of the supermarkets surveyed there were breaches regarding the disposition of the products on the gondola, the seals were not visible to the consumer. In 67% we found promotions associated with the price (such as “15% discount” and “50% discount on the second unit”) in products with stamps, which also shows a breach of the provisions of the law, and in the 12% of the surveyed products, the seals were not on the main face of the container. The State must sanction these breaches and with the campaign we seek to make them visible,” said Leila Guarnieri of FIC Argentina.
“It is a priority that the commitment extends throughout the country, counting on the federal representation of the provinces, which monitor compliance with the Law through committed citizens and nutrition professionals who, through Education and advocacy actions put the visibility of this Law at the center of the scene. As a Federation we join the efforts of the entities that we bring together for the effective compliance of the Law, without exception”, declared Ana Caceres from FAGRAN.
“For a full implementation of the Labeling Law, it is essential that as citizens we get involved and demand its compliance. Although it is the State that has the obligation to control, we are observing that these mechanisms can be deficient and inopportune. In addition, up to now we have no data that sanctions have been applied to companies that break the law. For this reason, it is important that we remain alert and report non-compliances to demand that the authorities monitor and sanction appropriately,” said Maga Merlo from Fundeps. And he added: “Let us remember that this law comes to protect fundamental rights such as health, adequate food and information for consumers, and especially for groups in vulnerable situations, such as children. Citizen participation is essential to build transparent public policies.”
“The platform also arises from the need to make visible the actions of companies that break the law in different ways, interfering mainly in the guarantee of the right to information of consumers. Being able to document, systematize the information and thus channel the claim to the enforcement authorities will allow the State to act in such a way that it can put into operation its own strategies to mitigate non-compliance,” said Ignacio Porras from Fundación SANAR.
“For a norm to be effective and not die in the sanction, it is essential that we get involved and demand its correct implementation. It is a matter of appropriating the Law and knowing it to be able to claim for our rights and build new horizons”, declared Ariana Krochik of Consciente Colectivo.
Registering breaches at www.nolodejemospasar.org
Contact
Maga Merlo, magamerlov@fundeps.org
From Fundeps and Fundación Sanar we present the Regulatory Map of Front Labeling in Argentina, a website that shows the progress of the 23 provinces and the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires (CABA) in the issuance of regulations that regulate the implementation of the Promotion Law of Healthy Eating (PAS) at the local level, and at the same time accounts for the regulation process carried out by the National State. The objective of this tool is to promote and strengthen the full implementation of this law throughout the 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”.
Law No. 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating, known as the Labeling Law, was enacted on October 26, 2021 and regulated on March 22, 2022. As of this date, it is mandatory throughout the country. However, the adherence and/or the issuance of complementary regulations by the provinces and CABA is of utmost importance to ensure the full implementation of all the measures established by law, and thus effectively protect the health of the population.
In view of the importance of adhering to and enacting local regulations as fundamental elements to promote healthy eating throughout Argentina, Fundación Sanar and Fundeps present the Regulatory Map of Front Labeling in Argentina. This consultation and analysis tool is aimed at national and provincial public authorities responsible for promoting healthy eating policies and at civil society organizations, academia and the media that monitor the correct implementation of the PAS Law.
Consult the REGULATORY MAP: www.etiquetadoenargentina.org/
About the PAS Law:
The PAS Law seeks to promote healthy eating and guarantee the right to health and adequate nutrition. It includes measures such as placing warning seals on packaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages to provide clear and understandable nutritional information, encouraging more assertive decisions by consumers. It also regulates aspects such as school environments and nutritional food education, advertising, promotion and sponsorship of the food industry – with special focus on childhood and adolescence – as well as public purchases made by the State. These components contribute to a comprehensive approach to the regulations, strengthening their protective nature and their focus on rights.
Contact
Laura Fons, laurafons@fundeps.org
On February 16, the extension granted to large companies to implement the law expired and on the 20th it is the turn of SMEs, who from that day on must incorporate the seals in their products with excessive content of critical nutrients. In this key month, civil society organizations highlight the need for the law to be complied with and for the State to take an active role in its oversight.
“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 month of February has two key dates for the Healthy Eating Promotion Law, better known as the Labeling Law. That is why FAGRAN, Fundeps, SANAR, FIC Argentina and Consciente Colectivo met to review the timing of the norm and to highlight that there are no more excuses for the law to be complied with.
On the one hand, February 16 is the day on which the extensions granted to large companies expire, a benefit that they counted on to delay the implementation date that the law originally stipulated (August 20, 2022). That is, from now on, large companies must incorporate seals on the packaging of their products with excesses of critical nutrients. This process will be gradual given that products from companies that obtained extensions can still circulate in stores, and that were prepared and packaged before February 16, which, according to the law, are not required to bear stamps since they were produced under the extension period.
On the other hand, the regulations of the law establish that as of February 20, SMEs must begin to include labels on the corresponding containers. However, as was the case with large companies, SMEs can obtain extensions of up to 180 days to delay implementation.
Although the extensions are within the framework provided for by the norm and are not a violation of it, we from the organizations demand that information be public about the reasons why this benefit was approved, as well as which products. and companies were awarded. This information was not provided by the State, removing transparency from the law implementation process. This situation, added to factors such as stock, generates a confusing scenario for citizens, who do not have clear information to identify if a product does not have seals because it is healthy; because it comes from another stock; or because it has the benefit of extension.
From now on, the role of the State in monitoring compliance with the law will be key to defending the rights of the population. From civil society we will continue to monitor this process, providing tools and information and demanding its correct implementation with citizens.
Contact
Maga Merlo, magamerlov@fundeps.org
This material was prepared from the advocacy work in the National Food Commission (CONAL) carried out by Fundeps in 2021 and 2022 for the modification of the regulation of trans fats. It takes contributions from the work articulated with other civil society organizations and proposes a reflective analysis in construction, which seeks to contribute to the debate on the need for greater transparency in the process of elaboration, execution and monitoring of public food policies in Argentina.
This document is the summary of a report prepared from the advocacy work of Fundeps in the National Food Commission (CONAL) in 2021 and 2022 for the modification of the regulation of trans fats. It takes contributions from the work articulated with other civil society organizations and proposes a reflective analysis in construction, which seeks to contribute to the debate on the need for greater transparency in the process of elaboration, execution and monitoring of public food policies in Argentina.
This document summarizes the good practices of the Latin American countries that have incorporated front-facing food labeling into their regulations. A brief summary of the result of the analysis of the regulations of all these countries will be presented, and a clear comparison will be provided. on every aspect of those standards.
Last Thursday, November 17, we held a meeting on the current management of food programs for school canteens in the provinces of Mendoza, Córdoba, Salta, Tucumán, and Buenos Aires. Special emphasis was placed on food purchasing systems and on the need to guarantee the effective application of Law No. 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating (PAS) within the framework of school assistance programs in each of these provinces. The event was organized by Fundeps, Nuestra Mendoza, Andhes, Salta Transparente, the Center for the Implementation of Constitutional Rights (CIDC) and also had the support of SANAR.
“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”.
In addition to representatives of the aforementioned civil society organizations, the following participated in the meeting: Claudia Oliva and Victoria Lo Valvo, General Director of the Comprehensive Assistance Program of Córdoba (P.A.I.Cor) and Director of Legal Affairs of the General Directorate of Purchases of Córdoba ; Franco Pullido and Gabriel Sciola, Director of School Feeding of Mendoza and Undersecretary of Administration of the General Directorate of Schools of Mendoza and Matías Molina, General Director of Monitoring of Procurement of Goods and Services of the province of Salta.
At first, through a participatory dynamic, the different representations and social images linked to chronic non-communicable diseases and, specifically, malnutrition due to excess and the commonly known “law of labeling” were addressed. Then the different components of said law were described and, finally, the provisions related to public purchases for school canteens were studied in depth.
It was highlighted that, when dealing with purchases for educational establishments, they should guarantee that products with black seals did not enter the schools, whether they were already packaged products or the ingredients used to prepare the food. This, given that products with at least one seal or precautionary legend cannot be offered, marketed, promoted, advertised or sponsored within schools, by virtue of article 12 of the PAS law.
In a second moment, the floor was given to each of the leading people from the provinces, authorities in the event that they were present or from NGOs, so that they could comment on how the management of the food programs was in each one of them, how Food purchases were decided, with what nutritional criteria, if this information was accessible to the public, all with the aim of identifying some common points and windows of opportunities for the effective application of the PAS law.
By way of conclusion, each attendee identified opportunities, challenges and possibilities for articulation between civil society and the State agencies involved.
Authors
Maria Victoria Sibilla
Maga Merlo
Contact
Maria Victoria Sibilla, ninasibilla@fundeps.org