Day: 13/08/2024

Article – The Limits to Food and Beverage Industry Influence over Fiscal and Regulatory Policy in Latin America

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Context: Little is known about the political, institutional, and social contexts contributing to a decline in food and beverage industry power and influence over fiscal (soda taxes) and regulatory (sales/advertising restrictions and food labels) policy. This article addresses this issue by exploring why Mexico and Chile eventually saw such a decline in the food and beverage industry’s influence whereas Brazil was not as successful. I argue that in Mexico and Chile, these outcomes are explained by shifts in presidential, congressional, and bureaucratic interests in pursuing policies that went against industry preferences.

Methods: This article took a qualitative methodological approach to comparative historical research.

Findings: Policymakers’ interest in pursuing stronger food and beverage regulations were shaped by economic and public health concerns, new electoral contexts, epidemiological information, and normative beliefs. In Mexico, the infiltration of nutrition researchers within government facilitated this process. In contrast, Brazil’s government was divided about pursuing regulatory policies, with presidents favoring partnerships with industry to implement a popular anti-hunger program; industry’s power endured there with limited progress in policy reforms.

Conclusion: Governments can eventually overcome industry power and policy influence, but it depends on a whole government commitment to reform.

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Article – Reformulation of ultra-processed products in Argentina after the implementation of front-of-pack labeling

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The implementation of front-of-package labeling in Argentina encourages product reformulation, promoting healthier food environments. The objective was to analyze the changes in the content of energy, added sugar, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium in ultra-processed products during the first stage and upon completion of the implementation period of the law regulating front- of-package labeling in the country. METHODS: A longitudinal study with non-probabilistic sampling was conducted. Data were collected in two stages: T1 (June-August 2022) and T2 (December 2023-March 2024). Changes were evaluated using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. RESULTS: The sample comprised 682 products in T1 and 527 in T2. Energy content decreased in dairy and sweet biscuits (p<0.05). There was a notable reduction in total fat (40 %) and saturated fat (38.73 %) content in dairy products (p<0.05), followed by decreases in saturated fat (11.76 %) and sodium (9.69 %) in savory snacks (p<0.05). Added sugar content increased in dairy and sweet spreads (p<0.05), while it decreased in ice cream, chocolates, sweet biscuits, and “alfajores” (p<0.05). DISCUSSION: There was no evidence of a general pattern of product reformulation; this phenomenon was observed in certain groups and specific nutrients such as total fat, saturated fat, and sodium.

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Codex – CX/NFSDU 24/44/6 Add.1: DISCUSSION PAPER ON HARMONIZED PROBIOTIC GUIDELINES FOR USE IN FOODS AND FOOD SUPPLEMENTS

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During the forty-third session of the Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses (CCNFSDU43) on 7-10 March and 15 March 2023, Argentina and Malaysia introduced the revised Discussion Paper and Project Document on Harmonized Probiotic Guidelines for Use in Foods and Food Supplements and provided a response to concerns raised in the Physical Working Group (PWG) which took place on 6 March 2023 (as contained in CRD39).

Develop a revised discussion paper and project document, taking into account comments at CCNFSDU43 and with the aim to consider it at CCNFSDU44 as part of the discussions of new work proposals. The revised discussion paper is attached as Appendix I and the project document as Appendix II.

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Peru – Legislative Proposal: Minimum 50% Fruit Pulp for Beverages with Fruit Images

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A bill introduced by Congressman José Luna (Podemos Perú) proposes that beverages that use the image of a fruit in their labeling, advertising or commercial presentation must contain at least 50% pulp of that fruit.
Bill No. 8543/2024-CR seeks to protect the health and rights of consumers by ensuring that information on beverage labels and advertising is truthful and accurate.
In his explanatory statement, Congressman Luna Galvez points out that beverage advertising in the Peruvian market often uses images of fruits to attract consumers, generating a perception of freshness and health in the products. He adds that this marketing strategy relies on the positive association consumers have with fruits, seeing them as synonymous with nutrition and wellness.
This suggests that the product contains fresh and natural ingredients, which influences the purchasing decision of consumers looking for healthier options. However, it warns that this practice can be misleading, as many of these beverages contain minimal amounts of fruit pulp or, in some cases, only artificial flavors with no actual fruit content promoted.

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

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ANVISA releases recording of sectoral dialogue on food microbiological standards

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) announced that the recording of the virtual sectorial dialogue on the process of periodic updating of the lists of food microbiological standards is available. The meeting was held by Anvisa, on 23/7.

The objectives of the meeting were:

  • To present the inputs received on the normative proposal submitted to Public Consultation no. 1.238/2024, which proposed the exclusion of the criteria for aerobic mesophiles and fungi and yeasts for foods containing microorganisms, such as probiotics and biological yeasts; and.
  • Discuss the main changes proposed by the General Directorate of Food of Anvisa (GGALI in Portuguese).
For further information, you can access the original source in Portuguese