Article – Efficacy of different front-of-package labeling systems in changing purchase intention and product healthfulness perception for food products in Argentina

Objectives. To identify the front-of-package scheme—Multiple Traffic Light (MTL), Nutri-Score (NS), and black octagon Warning System (WS)—most effective in reducing purchase intention and perceived product health- fulness of drinking yogurts, cookies and cheese spreads, and to assess the joint influence of nutrient claims on the effects. Methods. Randomized-controlled experiment. A within-subjects factorial design was used to evaluate the influence of three independent factors on perceived product healthfulness and purchase intention. A total of 704 adults in Argentina were shown three mock-up products and asked to indicate which product they would buy choosing between pairs of products from different categories and to rate product healthfulness on a 7-point Likert scale. Results. The WS was the most effective in reducing purchase intention in drinking yogurts (OR:0.16, 95%CI: 0.09;0.28), cookies (OR:0.10, 95%CI: 0.05;0.18) and cheese spreads (OR:0.10, 95%CI: 0.05;0.18), and the perception of healthfulness (WS Mean score 3,63 vs No label 4,24, p<0.001), regardless of the participants’ gender, age, and level of education. NS was inefficacious in reducing product healthfulness perception, while MTL had significantly increased how healthful the product was perceived (p<0.001). Nutrient claims increased purchase intention and perception of healthfulness, thus reducing the effectiveness of front-of-package labels (p<0.001). Conclusions. In line with growing evidence, our findings support that WS perform better than NS and MTL in reducing purchase intention and healthfulness perception of products with excessive amounts of critical nutrients associated with the greatest burden of diseases. Front-of-package WS are expected to facilitate the population in Argentina to make healthier decisions.

Brazil – New food labeling requirements go into effect in 5 days

There are only 5 days left for the new food labeling rules to come into force. Food companies should take into account the adequacy schedule.

Established by Resolution of the Collegiate Council of Administration – DRC No. 429 and Normative Instruction No. 75, published in October 2020, the new labeling aims to improve the clarity and legibility of food labels and, thus, help the consumer to make more conscious food choices. .

As of October 9, 2022, products to be launched on the market will already have to have labels appropriate to the new rules. For products already on the market, there are different adaptation deadlines (see timeline below). Among the main changes is the adoption of front-of-line nutrition labeling, as well as changes in the table of nutrition information and claims.

Adequacy period

October 9, 2022
New products entering the market after 10/09/22

October 9, 2023
General foods already on the market

October 9, 2024
Food produced by a family farmer or rural family entrepreneur, solidarity economic enterprise, individual micro-entrepreneur, small agro-industry, artisanal agro-industry and food produced in an artisanal manner.

October 9, 2025
Non-alcoholic beverages in returnable containers, observing the gradual process of label replacement.

Guatemala – Bill for the promotion of healthy eating analyzed

Congressman Ángel Francisco González, president of the Consumer and User Defense Commission, called a meeting to analyze initiative 5504, law for the promotion of healthy food, in order to establish consensus and update its content.

The congressmen summoned authorities from the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN in Spanish), who participated in this opportunity and accompanied the reading of the document.

The congressmen explained that they will ask the opinion of all the sectors involved in the application of this bill, which establishes, mainly, the placement of black warning seals on consumer products with high sugar, sodium and saturated fat content.