The Americas

Regulatory news in the Americas

Chile – Why adding warning labeling on foods containing sweeteners is in the right direction, according to the evidence?

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Marcela Reyes and María Luisa Garmendia, professors at INTA of the Universidad de Chile and CIAPEC researchers, were the researchers responsible for the FONIS “Consumption of non-caloric sweeteners in infants, preschoolers and adolescents of medium-low income after the implementation of Law 20.606”. In this article, they provide the available evidence to support the proposal of the Ministry of Health to implement a warning legend on packaged foods containing non-caloric sweeteners.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish

Costa Rica – Scientific Justification for Dietary Supplements Containing Hemp and its Derivatives

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The Ministry of Health issues CIRCULAR MS-DRPIS-UR-0890-2024 on request for scientific justification or technical support for dietary supplements.

The scientific justification is made in the following cases:

  1. For all cases of dietary supplements containing hemp and its derivatives; according to Article 16 of the “Regulation to Law No. 10113, Law of Cannabis for medicinal and therapeutic use and Hemp for food and industrial use of March 02, 2022, Regulation of hemp for food and industrial use”, published by Executive Decree No. 43689-MP-MAG-S of September 7, 2022.
  2. For all cases of dietary supplements that include Health Claims that do not appear in Annex G and that must be evaluated by the health authority; according to Article 7.4 of the “Central American Technical Regulation RTCA 67.01.60:10 Nutritional labeling of pre-packaged food products for human consumption for the population from 3 years of age”, published by Executive Decree No. 37100-COMEX-MEIC-S of February 20, 2012.
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Brazil – ANVISA publishes an amendment to the Modified Normative Instruction on technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of food additives and technological aids authorized for use in food

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) has published Normative Instruction – INº 303/2024 , which amends Normative Instruction No. 211/2023 on technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of food additives and technological aids authorized for use in food.

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Honduras – National Congress approves Law for the Control and Regulation of Energy Drinks

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The National Congress has approved the Law for the Control and Regulation of Energy Drinks. The Health Regulation Agency (ARSA in Spanish) and the Health Commission of the National Congress jointly drafted the law that prohibits the commercialization of energy drinks for minors under 18 years of age. In addition, its sale in health, academic and sports establishments is prohibited.

With the approval of this law, the ARSA will regulate the access, sale, consumption, advertising and will implement the correct labeling to identify the dangers of the consumption of energy drinks.

In particular, the marketing of energy drinks to the general public is prohibited in the following establishments: educational centers at all levels, museums, sports facilities, day care centers, homes and other establishments intended for the care of children under 18 years of age.

For further information, you can access the original source in Spanish

Uruguay – Bill on digital front-of-package food labeling advances in parliament

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Congressmen in the national Parliament approved the bill that requires digital front labeling (QR codes or bar codes) of food. The initiative now passes to the Senate.

As explained by the deputy of the Colorado Party, Martín Melazzi “Basically, it is to incorporate digital front labeling to consumer products, which currently already have it. These are the well-known QR codes or bar codes, all the information that consumers need today”.

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