Colombia: Authorities acknowledge that the front‐of‐pack nutrition labelling model will not be ready on schedule

In the middle of the political control debate to the Minister of Health, Fernando Ruiz, he accepted that it is impossible that the labeling on junk food packages will be ready before December 7 or 16.

This means that the Government would not comply with the law, which regulated that by August 1 of this year the front seals should be implemented on the packages.

“The objective is that before December 17, when Resolution 810 comes into force, we will have this modification. Before, I have to say it clearly, calmly and honestly, it is impossible”, assured Minister Ruiz.

Brazil: 2nd workshop on the regulation of food supplements

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa in Portuguese), the United States Pharmacopeia (U.S. Pharmacopeia – USP) and the Union of the Pharmaceutical Industry of the State of São Paulo (Sindusfarma) will hold, next week, the 2nd workshop on regulation of dietary supplements. Scheduled for Wednesday (6/1) and Thursday (6/2), starting at 9 am, the event will be held through the Zoom platform.

The meeting will address the regularization of dietary supplements in Brazil, as well as Good Manufacturing Practices and Inspection of irregular products sold online. In addition, the workshop will feature sessions and updates related to probiotics to ensure the quality of dietary supplements.

Brazil: ANVISA changes presentation format on opinions of the food area

The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) informs that it will adopt a new format for publication of minutes in the Official Gazette (DOU in Portuguese), in the processes of registration, post-registration and evaluation of the Food area. It should be noted that the change will also include requests for alteration, revalidation and cancellation of these products.

In this regard, it is important to clarify that, as of next Monday (16/5), these publications will only contain essential information for the identification of the request before the Agency: company name/CNPJ, product name, procedure number, registration number, subject of the request and file number.

Brazil: Guide to questions and answers on post-publication of food petitions

The National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) has just published the first edition of Questions and Answers: requests after publication of requests for evaluation in the food sector. The document clarifies 10 frequent doubts about the procedures that companies can adopt after the publication of the Agency’s decision on the evaluated request.

The publication provides guidelines such as requests for correction of opinions, consultation panels and publications in the Official Journal of the Union (OJU). It is important to clarify that the instrument is indicative, it is only for decision, it does not make changes to the current regulations.

Article: Efforts in adopting the ultra-processed food and soft drinks labeling legislation in a COVID-19 environment: The cases of Colombia and Mexico

Diabetes contributes to COVID-19 deaths in Colombia and Mexico, where the latter having the highest prevalence of diabetes among OECD countries. Some reports consider that advertising influences diabetes by confusing labels on ultra-processed foods and soft drinks that lead to unhealthy food choices. Both countries are in the process of modifying their labeling legislation; however, governments and food industries have pushed to delay its implementation. Using a mixed research design, we interviewed 550 consumers in both countries during June–July 2020; a high number of respondents misunderstand today’s food labeling and are unaware of the new labeling legislation. Respondents strongly agree that the food industry should be in charge of changing the labels; otherwise, they would consider not buying their products. Using cluster analysis, we identified three groups that would help design public policies, nutritional and educational campaigns. Although changes in food labeling alone are not enough to reduce obesity and diabetes rates, food labels constitute public health tools due they assist consumers to make food and nutritional choices (considering that nutrition can help prevent and overcome COVID-19). The costs of maintaining current labels could increase Colombians and Mexicans illnesss and poverty. These deceptive practices of the food industry would harm their brands.