The Americas

Regulatory news in the Americas

Brazil – Food additives to be reviewed at ANVISA’s VI Public Board Meeting

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Among the items on the agenda at the VI meeting of the board of directors of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) is the discussion on:

Process: 25351.913444/2023-52
Subject: Proposal for Regulatory Instruction – IN amending IN No. 211, of March 1, 2023, which establishes the technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of authorized food additives and technological adjuvants in food.
Scope: GGALI/DIRE2
Regulatory Agenda 2024-2025: Topic No. 3.34 – Periodic updating of the lists of food additives and technological adjuvants authorized in foods.

Mexico – COFEPRIS supports Supreme Court decision in favor of front labeling on food and beverages

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The Federal Commission for the Protection against Health Risks (COFEPRISen Español) recognizes (Communiqué 49/2024) the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN in Spanish) to reiterate the constitutionality of the provisions that regulate the front labeling for prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages, to indicate the products that exceed the maximum limits of energy content, added sugars, saturated fats, sodium and other critical nutrients and ingredients established by such provisions.

In this sense, the plenary of the highest court of the country determined that front labeling fulfills a constitutionally valid purpose, by inhibiting or discouraging the consumption of certain foods to avoid chronic non-communicable diseases; to make effective the right to nutritious, sufficient and quality food, as well as to protect the right to health of the population.

Guatemala – Deputies proposed amendments to the healthy labeling bill

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A series of amendments will be introduced in Congress to the Healthy Food Promotion Law initiative, which requires warning labeling of high fat and sugar content in manufactured foods, and which is scheduled for third reading in the Plenary this week.

There are at least 6 or 7 amendments, which include the elimination of the tax rate for the warning labels; reduction of the proposed penalties; and extension of the law’s term, among others.

The initiative is identified with the number 5504, was presented in 2018 and the second reading took place at the end of February 2024, so it is only pending approval in third reading, by articles and final wording.

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

Panama – CCCF17/ President of Panama gives opening speech for contaminants meeting

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The 17th session of the Codex Committee on Contaminants in Food (CCCF) was declared officially open in Panama City, 15 April, following speeches from His Excellency the President of the Republic of Panama, Laurentino Cortizo Cohen and other distinguished guests. The opening ceremony paved the way for what promises to be an intensive week of discussions around a variety of current CCCF texts and future work for the Committee.

His Excellency the President expressed appreciation that Panama was chosen to co-host this Committee meeting. “Panama has always been a crossroads in the world,” he said, “and an ideal place for dialogue, and a place to find consensus.” He underlined the fundamental role that food safety plays in Panama: “food safety is one item that is anchored in our constitution as a fundamental right,” he continued, commenting that in his role as President of the Republic, he believes it is his duty to ensure food safety for the population. Panama, he remarked, seeks to “ensure protection of all our citizens, as does the Codex Alimentarius.” In reference to the Committee meeting, he concluded that “altogether we shall be able to achieve for our respective populations a system where our food is safe, if we give this matter the attention it deserves at all levels.”

Over the next three days, CCCF17 will address the topics of industrial, environmental, and naturally occurring toxicants in some foods, including maximum levels for lead and sampling plans for methylmercury in fish. Under the topic of toxins, delegates will discuss the definition of and maximum level for total aflatoxins in ready-to-eat peanuts, sampling plans for total aflatoxins and ochratoxin A in certain spices and the new code of practice or guidelines for the prevention and reduction of ciguatera poisoning. Five discussion papers have also been put forward for debate. There will also be a review of the Code of Practice for the Reduction of Aflatoxin B1 in Raw Materials and Supplemental Feedingstuffs for Milk-Producing Animals (CXC 45-1997) and discussion on the development of a code of practice for the prevention and reduction of cadmium contamination in foods.

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

cccf17-information-for-delegates_enDownload

Colombia – INVIMA announces virtual seminar on sanitary regulation of the School Feeding Program

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The Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA in Spanish) and the Unidad de Alimentación Escolar -Alimentos para Aprender (UApA in Spanish) inform those interested that, from April 15 to 22, registrations are open for the Virtual Course on Sanitary Regulations of the School Feeding Program (PAE in Spanish) to be held from April 23 to June 10, 2024.
This course is free, self-study, 100% virtual and with an intensity of 40 hours. A certificate of approval will be granted online by INVIMA.
The course is aimed at food and beverage suppliers of social programs, manufacturers, processors, transporters, distributors, marketers and other actors involved in the food chain; as well as professionals, students and teachers of university careers that are part of the agri-food chain; officials and contractors of the UApA, Invima and other competent entities in IVC; parents’ associations and Community Action Boards.

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