This article analyzes the actions that the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that pro-tect Consumer Rights in Brazil, Colombia, the United States and Mexico perform against misleading advertising in ultra-processed foods. This type of food promotes unhealthy eat-ing habits for children; causes excess weight to be a determining risk factor for chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs); and affects the health and quality of life of the popu-lation. Ultraprocessed foods, are considered to be the main factor in the epidemic called globesity, which is why ngo that protect Consumer Rights have made efforts to counteract the misleading communication and advertising strategies followed by the ultraprocessed food industry. The methodology of the study is of qualitative nature through in-depth in-terviews with the directors of six ngo from the aforementioned countries. The study includes the main actions thatngocarry out to demonstrate, inform, persuade and exert pressure on the food processing industry underlining the importance of communication and education in the work of defending consumer rights and the need for incorporate digi-tal media in its activity of information, feedback, manifestation and linking of parents, aca-demic communities, public opinion, legislative groups, government authorities and society in general.
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Article/Brazil – (In) safety of labeling of cereal-based infant foods in relation to current brazilian legislation
Introduction: Cereals are widely used in children’s nutrition. Objective: to evaluate the nutritional composition and labeling of cereal-based infant foods, in relation to current legislation. Material and Methods: cross-sectional, analytical and descriptive study that evaluated cereal-based foods, as well as labeling compliance with current Brazilian legislation. Results: 72 food samples were evaluated: cereal for baby food; mixture for the preparation of porridge and cereal flour. One hundred percent of the samples showed some non-compliance with the legislation, including the presence of a false concept of advantage and safety, illustrations not allowed, absence of mandatory warnings and, absence of the minimum age for consumption of the product. In bromatological and labeling analyses, the carbohydrate content of all categories exceeded 80% of the total energy value of the product. The protein, lipid, carbohydrate and energy contents of the cereal category for infant feeding showed significant differences, being, respectively, p=0.015, p<0.001, p=0.013 and p<0.001. The mix category for porridge preparation also showed significant differences for proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and energy (p<0.001). In the category of cereal flours, only the protein content showed a difference (p=0.05).
Conclusion: considering the sample universe of the study, it is possible to conclude that even in the presence of specific legislation, we still find legal non-conformities in the labeling of cereal-based foods intended for infant feeding, and these foods have a nutritional composition different from the information presented on their labels, negatively impacting children’s food safety.
Article/Mexico – Implementing front-of-pack nutrition warning labels in Mexico: important lessons for low and middle-income countries
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the implementation of front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPNL) in Mexico.
DESIGN: Review of publicly accessible documents, including legislative websites, news sources, and government, inter-governmental, and advocacy reports. Usage of the policy cycle model to analyze the implementation and evaluation stages of Mexico’s General Health Law, amended with FOPNL (2019-2022).
RESULTS: In October 2019, the government published a draft modification of the Norma Oficial Mexicana (Official Mexican Standard) to regulate and enforce a new FOPNL warning label system. A 60-day public consultation period followed (October-December 2019) and the regulation was published in March 2020 and implementation began in October 2020. An analysis of nine key provisions of the Standard revealed that the food and beverage industry and its allies weakened some original provisions including health claims, warnings for added sweeteners, and display areas. On the other hand, local and international public health groups maintained key regulations including the ban on cartoon character advertisements, standardized portions, and nutrient criteria following international best practices. Early implementation appears to have high compliance and helped contribute to reformulating unhealthy products. Continued barriers to implementation include industry efforts to create double fronts and market their cartoon characters on social media and through digitalized marketing.
CONCLUSION: Early success in implementing the new FOPNL system in Mexico was the result of an inclusive and participatory regulatory process dedicated to maintaining public health advances, local and international health advocacy support, and continued monitoring. Other countries proposing and enacting FOPNL should learn from the Mexican experience to maintain scientifically proven best practices, counter industry barriers and minimize delays in implementation.
Article – Violations of the Code in Argentina: analysis of promotions, advertising and labeling of commercial milk formula and complementary foods products
Breastfeeding has unique benefits for the child and the mother, and its decline may be one of the most significant mass phenomena in infant feeding. While there are several causes, standing out among them is the marketing practices of commercial milk formula (CMF) and commercial complementary foods (CCF). This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using qualitative and quantitative methodology, between August 2018 and August 2020. Regarding the promotion, advertising and labeling of CMF and CCF, none of the companies in Argentina at the time complied with the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes or the related laws in force in the country. The multiple forms of violation found emphasize the need to establish and strengthen monitoring and enforcement mechanisms to curb abuses by the CMF and CCF industry in Argentina, safeguarding the rights of mothers, families, and their newborns. Likewise, the Government must lead the political process and adapt its regulatory framework in terms of transparency and conflict of interest, as well as generate comprehensive and intersectoral public policies on the protection of breastfeeding.
Article – Formula for deception: Corporate violations and State negligence; Labelling and advertising in breast-milk substitutes in Argentina
The protection of breastfeeding is a human rights issue. It is closely related to the right that babies and mothers have to the highest attainable standard of health, to adequate nutrition and to reliable information.
Argentina has incorporated the “International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes” into different regulations in a partial and fragmentary manner, being considered a country “with some provisions of the Code included”.
This article is intended to present an assessment of the level of compliance with the rules currently in force in Argentina by corporations as well as by state agencies responsible for enforcement and supervision, focusing on labelling and advertising aspects.
The study comprised two different methods for data collection. First, labels found on containers of infant formulas and modified milks for children were collected and analysed according to NetCode Protocol for periodic assessments. Second, ads in digital ecosystem were collected and a content analysis of texts and images was performed.
The packages of 54 types of breastmilk substitutes were photographed and examined. 100% of the examined labels of substitutes were in violation of the national rules and regulations and the provisions set forth in the Code. The most frequent reasons were nutrition and/or health claims or declarations, imagery and language idealizing the use of the product, and invitations to make contact with the company. Regarding mandatory texts or designs, violations included the omission, modification, and font size or position that minimizes their presence.
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