Panama – Food labeling in Panama: a forgotten issue in the National Assembly

While 3.5 million Panamanians, out of a population of 4.4 million, are overweight and one in five is obese, according to official figures, the issue of front labeling of processed foods, in order to know their nutrients, is not even being discussed in the National Assembly.
Yaidelis González, alternate deputy and proponent of the “front labeling of nutritional warning” bill, said that it is in a legislative subcommittee, “which has only met once”.

“Unfortunately, it has not been a priority of the commission to discuss” the bill, she acknowledged.

Article – Digital marketing of commercial breastmilk substitutes and baby foods: strategies, and recommendations for its regulation in Mexico

Parents are exposed to breastmilk substitutes and baby foods marketing on the internet and social media, which hinders adequate breastfeeding and complementary feeding. This study identifies digital marketing strategies for breastmilk substitutes, specifically commercial milk formula and baby foods used by the industry to influence infant and young children’s feeding practices in Mexico and proposes regulatory recommendations that can be useful for similar countries.

Article/Brazil – Updates on food nutrition labeling

Food labels are fundamental elements of communication between companies that produce food and consumers, so it is important that the information on these labels is expressed in a simple and easy to understand way. Considering that a label presents more clarity and legibility in the nutritional information of food products, RDC nº 429 and Normative Instruction nº 75 were established on October 8, 2020. In the new regulatory norms, among the labeling modifications are included, the use of frontal nutrition labeling on the packages, providing information about the nutrients that are considered relevant to the health of the consumer and the nutritional table that must present the information about certain nutrients. These changes in the nutrition label help consumers to make more appropriate and healthy food choices.