The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has just published the first edition of Questions and Answers: requests after publication of requests for evaluation in the food sector. The document clarifies 10 frequent doubts about the procedures that companies can adopt after the publication of the Agency’s decision on the evaluated request.
The publication provides guidelines such as requests for correction of opinions, consultation panels and publications in the Official Journal of the Union (OJU). It is important to clarify that the instrument is indicative, it is only for decision, it does not make changes to the current regulations.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food points out that harmonization in a single EU front nutritional labeling will help to ensure consumer safety and to highlight the health properties of olive oil.
The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, has expressed the need to recognize the health properties of olive oils in the future front nutritional labeling of the European Union (EU), which will be mandatory and equal for all Member States in the near future, to convey to the consumer all the information with the greatest possible clarity and solvency.
Diabetes contributes to COVID-19 deaths in Colombia and Mexico, where the latter having the highest prevalence of diabetes among OECD countries. Some reports consider that advertising influences diabetes by confusing labels on ultra-processed foods and soft drinks that lead to unhealthy food choices. Both countries are in the process of modifying their labeling legislation; however, governments and food industries have pushed to delay its implementation. Using a mixed research design, we interviewed 550 consumers in both countries during June–July 2020; a high number of respondents misunderstand today’s food labeling and are unaware of the new labeling legislation. Respondents strongly agree that the food industry should be in charge of changing the labels; otherwise, they would consider not buying their products. Using cluster analysis, we identified three groups that would help design public policies, nutritional and educational campaigns. Although changes in food labeling alone are not enough to reduce obesity and diabetes rates, food labels constitute public health tools due they assist consumers to make food and nutritional choices (considering that nutrition can help prevent and overcome COVID-19). The costs of maintaining current labels could increase Colombians and Mexicans illnesss and poverty. These deceptive practices of the food industry would harm their brands.
On June 16, 2021, Colombia’s Ministry of Health and Social Protection (MINHEALTH) issued Resolution No. 810 establishing the technical regulation for nutrition and front-of pack labeling requirements for packaged food for human consumption, which will go into effect on December 16, 2022. This report includes the original regulation and an English translation.
The purpose of the notified Technical Regulation is to establish the technical specifications to be met by mayonnaise, whether produced domestically or imported for human consumption, which is offered to the end consumer or for catering purposes, and which is marketed throughout the national territory.