The Jamaican Bureau of Standards issued Notice DJS 375:2025, proposing a revision to the standard for Concentrated Molasses Solubles (CMS) derived from sugarcane.
Author: infoAlimentario
Brazil – STF holds a public hearing on the advertising and promotion of foods deemed harmful to health
The Supreme Federal Court (STF in Portuguese) has held a public hearing regarding the advertising rules for foods and medicines deemed harmful to health. This discussion is part of the Direct Action of Unconstitutionality (ADI) No. 7788 filed by the Brazilian Association of Broadcasters and Television (ABERT in Portuguese) against the regulations set by the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) that govern the advertising of foods and medicines. The organization claims that the resolutions impose restrictions that should only be established by federal law. It also argues that the measures are excessive and harmful to economic freedom.
The procedure will take place in the session room of the First Chamber of the STF, with live broadcasts on TV Justice, Radio Justice, and the STF’s YouTube channel. Public participation as an audience member is open without prior registration and is subject to capacity limits.
The presiding judge approved the participation of 33 speakers, including representatives from the parties involved in the action, as well as organizations and entities addressing the issue. Each speaker will have 10 minutes to present. The presentations are divided into three sections. Discussion in progress.
Argentina – INAL denies the company’s request to disregard the requirements regarding nutritional warning octagons on its gluten-free products
The company Molinos Río de la Plata S.A. attempted to halt the implementation of front labeling on its gluten-free products, but the Government denied the request. Through Decree 604/2025, published this Monday in the Official Gazette, the Executive rejected the claim made by the company against Decree 151/2022, which regulates the Law on the Promotion of Healthy Eating (No. 27.642).
Molinos had requested to be exempt from placing warning labels on its gluten-free foods, arguing that this could confuse the celiac population.
The claim was assessed by the National Institute of Foods (INAL in Spanish) and National Food, Drug, and Medical Technology Administration (ANMAT in Spanish), which were unequivocal in their response: “There are no technical justifications to exempt gluten-free products from front labeling,” stated the official report, adding that doing so would “violate the consumers’ right to have clear and truthful nutritional information.”
Molinos’ claim was entirely dismissed, and the decree clearly indicates that the administrative route has been exhausted; therefore, if the company wishes to pursue the matter further, it must turn to the judiciary.
Mexico – The civil organization, the Power of the Consumer, has filed a legal protection action against the postponement of the third phase of food labeling
The organization the Power of the Consumer has reported that it has filed a legal protection action against the modification process of NOM-051, which alters the implementation of the third phase of front labeling for food products and postpones it until January 2028, citing various irregularities and deficiencies in the process.
In this regard, Javier Zúñiga, the Legal Coordinator at El Poder del Consumidor, stated: “The purpose of the legal protection action is to allow us to discuss essential aspects of labeling within the NOM-051 process, such as the size of warning labels and the placement of the octagons. It is important to note that there were several irregularities during the process, and if these are not rectified, we would be facing violations of consumer rights, including the right to health and information.”
Brasil – The Federal Government implements measures for public food purchases impacted by U.S. tariffs
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA in Portuguese) and the Ministry of Agrarian Development and Family Agriculture (MDA in Portuguese) announced the Interministerial Ordinance No. 12/2025, which establishes exceptional and emergency procedures related to public procurement of food products. This measure exclusively benefits Brazilian producers and exporters affected by the imposition of additional tariffs on imports by the United States.
The Minister of Agriculture and Livestock, Carlos Fávaro, stated that this initiative provides an alternative for distributing the national production impacted by the trade barriers imposed by the United States, thereby ensuring the income of rural producers and exporting companies. “The ordinance sets forth the regulations for the acquisition of agricultural products and those from family agriculture affected by the taxes imposed by the U.S. government. Several products can now be marketed with the Federal Government, states, and municipalities, thereby reducing the impact of the tariff increase. We are also monitoring whether it is necessary to add other products to this list. The government under President Lula is vigilant, ensuring employment and economic growth, while seeking new markets for Brazilian products,” he stated.
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