Month: November 2024

Honduras – Authorities coordinate actions to develop new technical regulation for corn flour production

/ infoAlimentario

The government of President Xiomara Castro, through the Secretariat of Agriculture and Livestock (SAG in Spanish), the Secretariat of Economic Development (SDE in Spanish) and the Health Regulation Agency (ARSA in Spanish), began work on a new technical regulation for corn flour.

This initiative, which responds to the demands of national producers, seeks to guarantee the quality and safety of this basic product in the Honduran market.

It is also expected that the regulation will help strengthen the competitiveness of the sector and protect the interests of consumers.

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

Panama – PAHO/WHO, FAO and UNICEF endorse implementation of front nutrition warning labeling to improve health in Panama

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In an event of great relevance for public health in Panama organized by the Healthy Food Movement, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) jointly presented their position in favor of Front Nutritional Warning Labeling.

This initiative, promoted by Congressman José Pérez Barboni and supported by civil society, seeks to strengthen the draft bill No. 57 and protect healthy eating, public health and human rights of Panamanians.

Obesity and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) related to inadequate nutrition represent a serious public health crisis in Panama. Data from the 2019 National Health Survey are alarming: 34% of children and 71.1% of adults are overweight or obese. These figures are in line with the global trend that highlight the urgency of adopting cost-effective measures to improve the population’s diet.

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

Mexico – Guidelines for the preparation, distribution and sale of food and beverages in all schools of the National Education System

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The Secretary of Public Education (SEP), Mario Delgado Carrillo, presented the new Healthy Life in Schools guidelines and actions, in order to contribute to the full exercise of the right to nutritious, sufficient and quality food in schools for children, adolescents and young people.

During his participation in the “Mañaneras del Pueblo”, led by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, he recalled that last September 30, the Ministries of Public Education (SEP) and Health, published the General Guidelines to which the preparation, distribution and sale of prepared, processed and bulk food and beverages, as well as the promotion of healthy lifestyles in food, must be subject to within any school of the National Education System (SEN).

He stated that these guidelines will come into force in 180 days and will be mandatory as of March 29, 2025 in all schools of the three types of education of the SEN: Basic, Upper Secondary and Higher Education, so the 258,689 schools in the country will have to comply with them.

Panama – Healthy Eating Movement asks deputies to approve the bill on nutritional labelling

/ infoAlimentario

The Healthy Eating Movement requested this Thursday, October 17, the National Assembly to approve Bill 57, which proposes the implementation of a nutritional warning front labeling on various products.

In a press conference, members of the group explained that the measure seeks to reduce the incidence of chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, renal and cardiovascular diseases and cancer, all related to the excessive consumption of processed products high in salt, sugar and fats.

They even indicate that this is shown by statistics. The 2019 Health Census revealed that 13% of children under 5 years of age and 37% of school-age children and adolescents in Panama are overweight.

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

Haiti – The Ministry of Commerce strengthens its actions for consumer protection

/ infoAlimentario

As part of its commitment to ensure optimal consumer protection, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) is stepping up its market control efforts through an extensive inspection operation to be carried out starting in October. 9 to 12, 2024. This initiative affects supermarkets, warehouses in the capital and surrounding communities, where rigorous controls will be carried out on a wide range of products.

Under the direction of Minister James Monazard, more than a dozen newly sworn-in inspectors will carry out inspections to verify several essential aspects: the price of staple products; the quality and condition of the products offered for sale; the storage and conservation conditions of food products, particularly refrigerated and frozen; the labeling and presentation of products in accordance with the standards in force; the proper functioning of sales facilities, including gas stations, to ensure the accuracy of pumps.

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