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.