Day: 08/07/2024

Argentina – Ministry of Health rules claim on exception to warning labeling for table olives in brine unfounded

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The Federación Olivícola Argentina (FOA in Spanish) filed an administrative claim against the regulation requiring warning labeling on products with high levels of critical nutrients, such as sugars and sodium. The product in question is “table olives in brine”, a processed food that, according to current legislation, must bear warning labels due to its sodium content.

The FOA argued that olives in brine should not be subject to the front-of-pack nutrition labeling regulation. They submitted reports questioning the applicability of the Nutrient Profile System (NPS) of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), used to evaluate these products.

On July 3, 2024, the Argentine State issued Decree 577/2024 (DECTO-2024-577-APN-PTE – Rejection of the claim) rejecting the FOA’s claim. The resolution was based on the consistency and coherence of the technical reports submitted. It was determined that the warning labels were applicable and necessary to adequately inform consumers about the content of critical nutrients in olives in brine.

BOLETIN OFICIAL REPUBLICA ARGENTINA – PROCEDIMIENTOS ADMINISTRATIVOS – Decreto 577_2024Download

Chile – SERNAC will follow up on the implementation of the new Alcohol Labeling Law

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The National Consumer Service (SENAC in Spanish) will supervise companies that commercialize alcoholic beverages, both in person and digitally.

Next Sunday, July 7, the regulation that expands the label requirement to drinks with an alcohol content equal to or greater than 0.5° sold in Chile will come into force.

For this reason, SERNAC will carry out inspection actions to companies that sell alcoholic beverages, either in person or digitally, in different e-commerce sites.

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

Argentina – ANMAT bans the distribution and marketing of a series of dietary supplements

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The National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT in Spanish) prohibited the manufacture and marketing of a number of products, through its publication in the Official Gazette (Provision 5884/2024).

The products that were restricted are: “Magnesium Citrate”; “Potassium Citrate”; “Natural Ginger”; “Analgesic Black Nettle”; “Yacon Diabetes”; “Memorex Cerebral”; “Maca Forte Multivitamin”; “Higazan Plus”; “Hydrolyzed Collagen”; “Biotin Hair and Nails”; “Magnesium Chloride”; “Chupa Panza Fat Burner”; “Stem Cells Premature Aging Hyaluronic Acid/Folic Acid”; “Zinc Magnesium Calcium +D Hydrolyzed Collagen Shark Cartilage” and “Biotin Hydrolyzed Collagen” all from the brand “Natural Medix”.

anexo_7153938_1Download

Brazil – The draft tax reform regulations contemplate including taxes on ultra-processed food and beverages

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The tax reform is being regulated in Congress and there are proposals for surcharges on processed foods and beverages, including the selective tax. The tax is intended to discourage the consumption of products considered “harmful to health and the environment”. According to the current draft regulations, the tax covers the following products and services: sugared beverages, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products, vehicles, and extraction of mineral goods and petroleum.

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

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Argentina – Labeling law: What is the situation two years after its implementation?

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Only 28% of the people surveyed responded that they know a lot or a fair amount about the Healthy Food Promotion Act, better known as front labeling. The data is derived from research conducted by ShopApp until June 2023. This figure contrasts with the 67% of respondents who said they agreed with this measure.

With the aim of raising awareness and helping the population to understand the seals currently displayed on foods, the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC in Spanish) analyzes each of these insignia and their effect on cardiovascular health.

At present, as regulated by law, food manufacturers are obliged to declare up to five categories of excesses and two warnings. Each of them has a reference value following the recommendations of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). “As a scientific organization, we have a responsibility to help the population understand the meaning of these values on packaging. The correct understanding of these warnings brings both therapeutic and preventive benefits,” says Dr. José María Silveyra (MN 118085), cardiologist; president of the Obesity and Diabetes Committee of the Argentine Federation of Cardiology (FAC).

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