Peru – Zero Hunger Commission addressed use of pesticides, trans fats and octogons for healthy eating

The Special Multi-Party Commission for Monitoring, Control and Oversight of the Zero Hunger Program organized a working group to address the challenges in nutrition and public health related to the use of pesticides, trans fats in processed foods and the optional deficient labeling of products offered in the market.

According to its president, Roberto Kamiche Morante (APP), the objective is to promote healthier family diets, reduce the risks of toxic substances, ultra-processed foods and improve the nutritional information available, all with the aim of reducing chronic diseases and improving public health in the long term.

This is a crucial task, said the representative for La Libertad, “to move towards a public health model that promotes healthier nutrition and results in the prevention of chronic diseases, such as cancer”.

For Kamiche Morante, the “implementation of stricter policies and consumer education are essential to generate a healthier food environment, where people have access to clear information and make conscious decisions that favor their wellbeing”.

Brazil – Federal Government reduces limit on ultra-processed foods in school meals

The Federal Government aims to offer a healthier diet to students, through more balanced menus, by reducing to 15% the limit of processed and ultra-processed foods in public school menus by 2025. The measure was announced by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia.

The president spoke about the impacts of the change during the 6th edition of the National Meeting of the National School Meals Program (PNAE). The reduction will be made through an amendment to Resolution No. 6/2020, which establishes the PNAE guidelines. Nationwide, the initiative will affect 40 million students in nearly 150,000 public schools, which provide approximately 10 billion meals per year.

Argentina – The National Directorate of Technical Regulations announces the consultation of several projects related to contaminants, additives and food contact materials

  • Modification of GMC Resolution No. 63/18 – “MERCOSUR Technical Regulation for the Allocation of Additives and their Maximum Limits for the Food Category: Category 8: Meat and Meat Products”.

  • Modification of GMC Resolution No. 25/02 – “MERCOSUR Technical Regulation on Maximum Allowable Limits of Aflatoxins in Milk, Peanuts and Corn”.

  • Reglamento Técnico MERCOSUR sobre Uso de Fosfatos en Postres Lácteos.

  • MERCOSUR Technical Regulations on Food Grade Recycled Postconsumer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Containers (Food Grade PET-PCR) intended to be in Contact with Food (Repeal of Resolution GMC Nº 30/07).

Argentina – ANMAT establishes new procedures for food imports and exports

The National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT in Spanish) announced an update in food import and export procedures (Provision 537/2025), which will now be managed through the National Food Institute (INAL in Spanish) and the TAD digital platform.
The changes to the Argentine Food Code through Decree 35/25, aims to streamline both the entry of foreign food products and the export of domestic food. The measure establishes a simplified system for imports from certain countries and relaxes the requirements for the exit of domestic products.
Products from countries with high sanitary control standards, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, Japan and the European Union, may be marketed in Argentina with a sworn declaration and the “Import Notice”. For the rest of the countries, the procedure will include registrations in the Federal Food Management System (SIFEGA in Spanish) and the approval of the National Register of Establishments (RNE in Spanish) and the National Register of Food Products (RNPA in Spanish).

Mexico – IMSS updates Guidelines on healthy eating for children

The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS in Spanish) has updated two didactic materials on nutrition that provide useful information on actions aimed at promoting health, preventing, detecting and controlling chronic diseases in a timely manner, as well as improving nutrition and forming healthy habits.
The guide also details the benefits of daily physical activity, recommendations for starting an exercise program, the three phases to avoid injuries and muscle pain, as well as an eight-week exercise program.