From March 24 to 28, 2025, representatives of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) will participate in the 55th meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Committee on Food Additives, to be held in Seoul, South Korea. The Brazilian delegation is composed of the deputy director of the Second Directorate, Leandro Rodrigues, the advisor of the General Directorate of Food, Rebeca Vinhas, and the official of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), Isabela de Ávila.
In addition, on March 21 and 22, meetings of the food additives working group were held to discuss issues relevant to the development of international food-related standards.
During the meeting, crucial issues related to the safety and regulation of food additives will be discussed, including new safety evaluations and proposed standards aimed at ensuring consumer health. Codex Alimentarius, an initiative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Health Organization (WHO), sets international standards that help ensure fair practices in the food trade.
Author: infoAlimentario
Peru – Ministry of Health promotes nutritional properties of Quinoa
Through a press release, the Ministry of Health promotes the nutritional properties of Quinoa, highlighting that this Andean cereal helps to prevent and combat malnutrition, as it is one of the richest cereals in iron, with 7.5 mg per 100 g. It also contains a high nutritional value of proteins, vitamins B and E, and other minerals such as magnesium and zinc.
It does not contain gluten and is ideal for people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It is one of the few foods that contains the 9 essential amino acids that our body cannot produce on its own.
It is also an allied food for people with diabetes, as it can help regulate blood sugar levels. Quinoa is very versatile and can be included in breakfasts. It can also be consumed in various ways: in stews, salads, soups or as an accompaniment to main dishes.
Brazil – ANVISA announces event on new food and packaging regulatory framework
THE Brazilian Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) will hold, on April 14, 2025, at 2 p.m., the event “Implementation of the New Regulatory Framework for the Regularization of Food and Packaging”. The meeting will take place in the auditorium of the Agency’s headquarters, in Brasília (DF), and aims to present the main changes in the electronic forms, procedures and guidelines made available by the Agency for the implementation of the regulation.
In addition, during the event, the publication of the third version of Guide 16 – Determination of the Shelf Life of Foods will be announced, as well as the launching of specific trainings for the correct application of this guide.
The event is an opportunity for industry representatives, experts and other interested parties to be updated on the new guidelines.
Registrations are due by April 10, 2025 at: https://forms.office.com/r/Y7kmhT0dhm.
Brazil – Bill to prohibit the addition of any amount of sugar and sweeteners to foods for infants moves forward
The Senate Committee on Human Rights and Participative Legislation (CDH in Portuguese) approved Bill 2.343/2024, which amends Law 11.265, which regulates the commercialization of food for infants and young children, prohibiting the addition of any amount of sugar and sweeteners to food intended for infants.
The bill by Senator Sérgio Petecão (PSD-AC) received the favorable vote of the rapporteur, Senator Laércio Oliveira (PP-SE), and now passes to the Social Affairs Committee (CAS) for analysis.
Mexico – Government bans transgenic corn by Decree
The reform promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum, which prohibits the cultivation of transgenic corn and protects native varieties of the grain native to Mexico, was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF in Spanish).
The document that makes official the reforms to articles 4° and 27 of the Constitution, regarding the conservation and protection of native corn, will enter into force on Tuesday, March 17.
The addition to article 4° specifies that the cultivation of corn “in the national territory must be free of genetic modifications produced with techniques that overcome the natural barriers of reproduction or recombination, such as transgenics. Any other use of genetically modified corn must be evaluated under the terms of the legal provisions to be free from threats to biosafety, health and the biocultural heritage of Mexico and its population.
Article 27 specifies that the State “will promote the conditions for rural, cultural, economic and health development, with the purpose of generating employment and guaranteeing the wellbeing of the peasant population and their participation and incorporation in national development, will promote agricultural and forestry activities, traditional crops with native seeds, especially the milpa system, for the optimal use of land free of genetically modified corn crops”.
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