Month: April 2024

Guatemala – Deputies proposed amendments to the healthy labeling bill

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A series of amendments will be introduced in Congress to the Healthy Food Promotion Law initiative, which requires warning labeling of high fat and sugar content in manufactured foods, and which is scheduled for third reading in the Plenary this week.

There are at least 6 or 7 amendments, which include the elimination of the tax rate for the warning labels; reduction of the proposed penalties; and extension of the law’s term, among others.

The initiative is identified with the number 5504, was presented in 2018 and the second reading took place at the end of February 2024, so it is only pending approval in third reading, by articles and final wording.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish

Article – The labelling of ultra-processed foods, ‘ideological biases’ and ‘false consciousness’: a historical narrative of the experience in Colombia

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While COVID-19 attacked people with diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, among other non-communicable diseases, the former Colombian government was betting on implementing a value-added tax (VAT) on the cost of production for food for the family basket (Paladines and Castellanos, 2021a, 2021c, 2021d, 2021e). It was added to a scenario of institutional weakness, evidenced by a social context ruled by a legal architecture showing a lack of positive and structural impact in the protection of the right to health, safeguarding the sovereignty of the consumer, and in short, in satisfying the general interest of a population immersed in a background of false consciousness, scenarios of sub-optimal choice and the prevalence of ideological and cognitive bias. Moreover, this article proposes a historical account if we consider the recent changes in the Colombian normative-regulatory model in the labelling of ultra-processed foods before the approval of a new regulation and agenda in December 2022.

For further information, you can access the original source in English

Argetina/Article – Act 27642 and food labelling: a step forward in ensuring the right to proper nutrition

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In this paper we will address the right to proper nutrition, focusing on its regulation in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights and we will examine one aspect of this right: food labeling. Accordingly, we will mention the different labelling models used in the world pointing out the complexity and challenges this right present in accomplishing its full effectiveness. Also, we will make a particularized analysis of the Argentinean’s Act 27642 of Healthy Food Promotion (known as “labelling law”), its legislative backgrounds and the protection of vulnerable groups. Then, we will make a critical analysis on where the Argentinean’s proper nutrition right stands. Finally, we will conclude that accomplishing the effectiveness of proper nutrition right re quires a great challenge that demands not only regulatory measures of the normative type (suchas the labelling law) but also concrete, continuous, intense, clear, and interdisciplinary measures. Thus, although labelling law is a big step towards that goal, it cannot solve the problem by itself because it demands a continuous social, political, and economic commitment.

For further information, you can access the original source in English

561-Texto del artículo-2589-1-10-20240403Download

Panama – CCCF17/ President of Panama gives opening speech for contaminants meeting

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The 17th session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) was declared officially open in Panama City, 15 April, following speeches from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and other distinguished guests. The opening ceremony paved the way for what promises to be an intensive week of discussions around a variety of current CCCF texts and future work for the Committee.

His Excellency the President expressed appreciation that Panama was chosen to co-host this Committee meeting. “Panama has always been a crossroads in the world,” he said, “and an ideal place for dialogue, and a place to find consensus.” He underlined the fundamental role that food safety plays in Panama: “food safety is one item that is anchored in our constitution as a fundamental right,” he continued, commenting that in his role as President of the Republic, he believes it is his duty to ensure food safety for the population. Panama, he remarked, seeks to “ensure protection of all our citizens, as does the Codex Alimentarius.” In reference to the Committee meeting, he concluded that “altogether we shall be able to achieve for our respective populations a system where our food is safe, if we give this matter the attention it deserves at all levels.”

Over the next three days, CCCF17 will address the topics of industrial, environmental, and naturally occurring toxicants in some foods, including maximum levels for lead and sampling plans for methylmercury in fish. Under the topic of toxins, delegates will discuss the definition of and maximum level for total aflatoxins in ready-to-eat peanuts, sampling plans for total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in certain spices and the new code of practice or guidelines for the prevention and reduction of ciguatera poisoning. Five discussion papers have also been put forward for debate. There will also be a review of the Code of Practice for the Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 in Raw Materials and Supplemental Feedingstuffs for Milk-Producing Animals (CXC 45-1997) and discussion on the development of a code of practice for the prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in foods.

For further information, you can access the original source in English

cccf17-information-for-delegates_enDownload

Colombia – INVIMA announces virtual seminar on sanitary regulation of the School Feeding Program

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The Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA in Spanish) and the Unidad de Alimentación Escolar -Alimentos para Aprender (UApA in Spanish) inform those interested that, from April 15 to 22, registrations are open for the Virtual Course on Sanitary Regulations of the School Feeding Program (PAE in Spanish) to be held from April 23 to June 10, 2024.
This course is free, self-study, 100% virtual and with an intensity of 40 hours. A certificate of approval will be granted online by INVIMA.
The course is aimed at food and beverage suppliers of social programs, manufacturers, processors, transporters, distributors, marketers and other actors involved in the food chain; as well as professionals, students and teachers of university careers that are part of the agri-food chain; officials and contractors of the UApA, Invima and other competent entities in IVC; parents’ associations and Community Action Boards.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish