Brazil – ANVISA publishes the 6th edition of the guide of questions and answers on food contact materials

The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) has published the 6th edition of the Q&A guide on food contact materials. This 6th Edition has 141 questions and answers with updated guidance on the application of the regulations applicable to food contact materials.

New questions on the following topics were also included in the document:

  • Chemical recycling of plastic materials.
  • Biodegradable or compostable packaging.
  • References for updating positive lists.
  • Wood and food contact textiles.
  • Expanded polystyrene.
  • Water tanks.
  • Migration test on cans.
  • Use of salts not included in the positive list of additives for plastic materials.
  • Non-fat dry food.
  • Follow-up of Mercosur negotiations.

Article – Front-of-package warning labelling system for pre-packaged foods and beverages: an intersectoral position of expertsin Central American and Dominican Republic

The Latin American region has been a pioneer in the implementation of a front- of-pack warning labeling system (FOPWL), which has demonstrated its efficacy and effectiveness in correctly identifying when a product contains excessive amounts of nutrients associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). However, countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA); which includes Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama and the Dominican Republic, have no adopted it. For this reason, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama convened a group of experts from academia and civil society with the aim of establishing an evidence-based technical position, in relation to front-of-pack labelling for critical nutrients of pre-packaged foods and beverages in the Central American region. Specif ic evidence f rom the SICA region demonstrating the superiority of FOPWL over other labels such as the Guideline Daily Amount (GDA), the traff ic light and Nutriscore to select healthier choices is presented. Within the f ramework of children’s and consumer rights, arguments are provided, and a call is made to governments for the prompt adoption of FOPWL as a cost-effective policy for the prevention of NCDs. In addition, recommendations for its monitoring and evaluation are provided, as well as recommendations for other cost-effective policies such as the regulation of unhealthy food advertising aimed at children and adolescents, among others, for the prevention of NCDs and the creation ofhealthier and more sustainable environments and food systems.

Guatemala: Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20 Processed foods. Procedure for granting, renewing and modifying the health registry

The Department of Food Regulation and Control (DRCA in Spanish) announced the Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.31:20 Processed foods. Procedure for the granting, renewal and modification of the health registry, which is in force since August 5, 2024