Judge Cristiano Zanin of the Federal Supreme Court (STF in Portuguese) has called for a public hearing to discuss the regulations governing the advertising of food and medications deemed harmful to health. This hearing is scheduled for August 26, 2025, starting at 10:00 AM, in the First Chamber’s Session Room of the STF.

The subject is the focus of Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI in Portuguese) 7788, filed by the Brazilian Association of Radio and Television Broadcasters (ABERT in Portuguese) against regulations set forth by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) that govern this matter.

ABERT contends that ANVISA’s resolutions regarding advertising, information, and other commercial dissemination and promotion practices for food and medications impose restrictions on advertising that could only be established through federal law. The organization further argues that this measure is disproportionate and undermines economic freedom because, rather than informing consumers, it would hinder the advertising of these products.

In the citation, the minister explained that the public hearing will allow for the participation of experts and representatives from public authorities and civil society, aiming to provide the Supreme Court with specialized knowledge, technical clarifications, and diverse perspectives, focusing on the analysis of the action.

According to the minister, “the law will allow for a deeper exploration of the consumer’s right to information and the limits on imposing restrictions on the advertising of potentially harmful medications and foods to public health.”