Regulatory news in the Americas
Nutrition specialists have defended the continuation of the discussion of Bill 265, after hearing the request of businessmen to stop the bill, which would oblige imported and local food products to detail their nutritional information on the front of the packages.
The argument of the businessmen is that the norm cannot be implemented in the country because Panama is still in arrears with the rest of Central American countries in terms of establishing a general labeling technical regulation.
The Federal Consumer Attorney, Ricardo Sheffield Padilla, suggested to the Legislative Power to explore the possibility of sanctioning even with the loss of the federal concession to any media that does not comply with an order regarding the removal of misleading advertising from its broadcasting.
During his participation in the virtual event “Parliamentary Dialogues: prohibition of miracle products”, organized by the Board of Directors of the Senate of the Republic, the head of Profeco considered it important that the Legislative, particularly the Senate, explore the way to improve the Law on the matter. “We must analyze the scope of the law in order to have the power to sanction,” said the official.
Resolution 227, issued February 18, 2022 jointly by the Ministries of Justice, Health and Agriculture, aims to regulate Decree 811 of 2021 regarding licenses and authorizations for manufacturing activities.
The Resolution regulates the use of the grain, plant component and non-psychoactive derivatives (less than one percent (1%) of THC) in food, alcoholic beverages (Articles 109 -120) and dietary supplements (Articles 121 – 129).
The aspects regulated for the indicated categories are related to: Raw material; Concentration of cannabinoids; Good manufacturing practices; Use Additives; Packaging; Labeling and advertising; Nutritional and health claims; Export activities and Monitoring and control.
It corresponds to the National Institute for the Surveillance of Medicines and Food (INVIMA in Spanish), within the scope of its competences, to exercise inspection, surveillance and control.
The subcommittee of Labor, Health and Social Development met to study the bill 265 on front nutritional warning labeling, proposed by Congresswoman Yaidelis González.
The purpose of the initiative is to implement and regulate the front nutritional warning labeling on the containers and/or packaging of pre-packaged processed food products for human consumption, in order to protect the health and welfare of the population in Panama.
The Heart Foundation of Jamaica (HFJ) has sent a strong message that it is not relenting in its advocacy for front-of-package labelling, particularly the black octagon, which will enable Jamaicans to better understand the nutritional value of ultra-processed foods.
The HFJ’s assertion comes months after Jamaica voted against using the label.
Deborah Chen, executive director of HFJ, said the entity is advocating for this for all ultra-processed, packaged foods — both locally produced and imported.
Situation in the Caribbean
In the Caribbean, the CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ) is leading, since 2018, the revision of the (2010) CARICOM Regional Standard for Specification for labelling of pre-packaged foods (CRS 5:2010) to incorporate front-of-package labeling specifications.
This process is supported by strong regional mandates and has involved extensive consultations through National Mirror Committees with all relevant stakeholders, including industry and commerce. The current CARICOM draft standard meets the highest level of scientific excellence, including the octagon-shaped warning system and a nutrient profile model based on WHO recommendations.
Front-of-package warning labeling (FOPWL) in the Caribbean
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