The minimum percentage of cocoa was approved by the Chamber of Deputies and will modify the definition and labeling of chocolate in Brazil. The bill establishes new composition criteria, creates categories, and eliminates traditional market denominations.
The minimum cocoa percentage changes the definition of chocolate.
The approved text redefines the parameters for the minimum percentage of cocoa in products.
Among the main points:
Milk chocolate will now require a minimum of 25% cocoa solids.
It will also require 14% of dairy solids or derivatives.
The category of sweet chocolate is created, with 25% cocoa.
Within this category: at least 18% must be cocoa butter and 12% fat-free solids.
The bill also stipulates that peels and waste will not be considered in the calculation, which increases the technical rigor of the formulations.
The Ministry of Public Health, thru the General Directorate of Health Promotion, emphasizes the importance of adopting a multidimensional approach to nutrition, based on scientific evidence and the sustainability of habits.
In the current context, characterized by the proliferation of restrictive diets and the promotion of “superfoods” on digital platforms, citizens are urged to adopt a critical perspective toward nutritional misinformation, with a clear and evidence-backed message: healthy eating is not built on dogmas or idolized ingredients, but thru a comprehensive approach that considers multiple dimensions of life.
We live in a true information chaos where everything seems black or white, good or bad, gluten yes or no, carbohydrates friends or foes. But nutrition is much more complex. From this general direction, we have been observing how these trends generate confusion and, in many cases, an unhealthy relationship with food,” stated Lic. Gustavo Montañez, General Director of Health Promotion.
The Legislative Assembly approved an expansion of breastfeeding rights, which will allow the extension of leave every three months, for the entire period that the baby is breastfed, and include periods for milk extraction during the workday.
The project 24481 “Law to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding,” driven by Deputy Antonio Ortega from the Broad Front (FA), was unanimously approved in its second debate in the third full-power committee on Wednesday, March 18.
The bill states that only 27% of babies in Costa Rica are breastfed until six months, highlighting the need to update the legislation to improve this situation. Extended breastfeeding has nutritional and emotional benefits that promote children’s health. In this sense, babies who are breastfed for a longer period get sick less often and recover more quickly from illnesses. Therefore, this bill establishes that the work leave (one month before birth and three months after) can be extended every three months for as long as the baby is breastfed, thru medical certification.
At the workplace, the breastfeeding mother will have one hour to breastfeed the child, for which she can choose to arrive one hour later or leave one hour earlier than the usual schedule, or use half-hour intervals twice a day, or 15-minute intervals every two hours during regular workdays or 15-minute intervals every three hours during overtime.
The Senate Health Commission is currently engaged in discussions regarding a proposed law that mandates the labeling of ultra-processed foods and restricts their advertising. There is ongoing debate about the definition of ultra-processed foods and their impact on overweight and obesity rates. Over four sessions, lawmakers have heard from nutrition experts and industry representatives, including organizations like FAO and various academic and consumer associations, to gather technical insights before voting on proposed amendments.
The initiative, led by Senator María José Gatica and supported by other legislators, defines ultra-processed foods as those containing more than five ingredients derived from industrial processes. It also stipulates that advertising for these products cannot target individuals under the age of fourteen, covering all forms of promotion in both traditional and digital media.
Proponents of the bill argue that it is essential to improve public nutrition in light of high obesity rates. They highlight that products with numerous ingredients often contain high levels of saturated fats and calories, adversely affecting cardiovascular health. A diet focused on non-industrial foods is suggested to help prevent diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and certain cancers. The NOVA classification system, developed by the University of São Paulo, has been referenced in the debate, categorizing foods based on their level of processing.
However, industry representatives have raised concerns about the NOVA classification, noting that it has not been officially recognized by international bodies like the WHO and FAO, and that the number of ingredients does not necessarily reflect a product’s nutritional quality. They also argue that some ultra-processed foods play important roles in public nutrition programs for vulnerable populations, such as infants, pregnant women, and the elderly.
The Ministry of Health (Minsa in Spanish), thru the General Directorate of Environmental Health and Food Safety (Digesa), participated in the presentation of the Health Risk Management System (SGR) for sanitary control procedures of food and the Food Safety Notification and Alert Management System.
During the day, the progress of the initiative “Implementation of Measures for the Improvement of Health Management in Peru” was presented, which includes the development of the Health Risk Management System, the execution of joint inspections between competent authorities, and the launch of the food safety notification and alert system.
These instruments will allow for prioritizing health interventions, improving inter-institutional coordination, and acting promptly in the face of potential risks, aligning with international standards and contributing to the facilitation of foreign trade.
Likewise, it was highlighted that the Health Risk Management System incorporates evaluation matrices and harmonized technical criteria, while the alert system will facilitate the early identification of hazards that may affect food safety.
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