The Americas

Regulatory news in the Americas

Guatemala – Authorities propose strategies for the approval of initiative 5504, the law for promoting healthy eating

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The Food Security Commission convened with representatives from civil society who advocate for food security in Guatemala, to discuss and advance a strategy for the approval of initiative 5504, the law promoting healthy eating.

This initiative aims to ensure the population’s right to make informed decisions regarding the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the potential harm they may cause to their health. Furthermore, it mandates the implementation of front labeling on products that contain excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats (vegetable fats produced through industrial processes).
In the meeting, delegates from the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP), the Central American Institute for Studies in Social Democracy (DEMOS), the Pan American Health Organization, and Guatemala Saludable participated. Their representatives informed that on August 20, they will present to the Commission over seven thousand signatures from individuals who support and endorse the approval of this legislative initiative.
The INCAP delegates emphasized the significance of this bill in light of the statistics in the country, which indicate that seven out of ten adults and four out of ten children aged seven to twelve years, as well as two out of ten children under two years old, suffer from overweight issues. Therefore, they seek to promote the production of foods with appropriate elements for the consumption of the population in the country.

Brazil – Anvisa releases a recording of a sectoral debate regarding the review of food labeling regulations

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) held its inaugural virtual sectoral dialogue to discuss with the public the proposed updates to its general labeling regulations, nutritional labeling, and food allergen labeling.

During the meeting, the history of negotiations was presented, along with the progress of the review processes, a summary of the proposed changes, the publication of the terms for initiating regulatory processes, and an outline of the upcoming steps, which include complementary thematic dialogues and public consultations.

Brazil – ANVISA reviews the classification process for border products

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) has taken an additional step in reviewing the classification process for border products. The call for proposals 9/2025, dated August 8, was published this Monday (August 11), inviting contributions to the Preliminary Report on Regulatory Impact Analysis (AIR in Portuguese) regarding this matter.

Border products are those that raise questions about their classification—whether they are medications, cosmetics, food, or medical devices—due to their characteristics, such as composition, usage, appearance, and mode of action. They are referred to as “border products” until ANVISA determines the correct category and the regulations that must be followed.

Peru – INACAL has published the Peruvian Technical Standard NTP 209.013:2025 – Edible oils and fats. Olive oil. Requirements

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Through Directoral Resolution N° 017-2025-INACAL/DN, the National Institute of Quality (INACAL) approved NTP 209.013:2025 – Edible oils and fats. Olive oil. Requirements.

The standard outlines the technical requirements that olive oils produced in Peru must meet for national and international marketing. It encompasses technical criteria related to quality, purity, and traceability, fostering a competitive product that aligns with global standards.

Argentina – They warn about the risks associated with the dissolution of the National Food Commission

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In a new offensive against the technical and participatory bodies of the State, the government of Javier Milei has dissolved the National Food Commission (CONAL in Spanish), a crucial institution for food security in the country. What was previously decided in a federal, scientific, and pluralistic space is now left in the hands of a few officials and companies, without opportunities for debate or citizen oversight.
The dismantling of CONAL was formalized through decree 538/2025, which amends the Argentine Food Code and transfers decision-making authority to the National Institute of Food (INAL in Spanish), which is under the National Administration of Medicines, Foods and Medical Technology (ANMAT in Spanish), and the National Service of Health and Quality of Agro-Food (SENASA in Spanish). Although these agencies possess technical expertise, what disappears with this measure is the participatory and federal architecture that ensured balanced regulation aimed at the public good.
The elimination of this space signifies much more than an administrative restructuring: it represents a setback in terms of transparency, social control, and the safeguarding of public interest against market interests. The official argument — ‘to streamline processes’ through platforms like SIFEGA — conceals the true impact: without plural deliberation, the Argentine food system becomes more vulnerable to corporate pressures and discretionary decisions.
Experts and sector leaders are already warning of the consequences: weakening of health consensus, loss of citizen and federal participation, and increased opacity in regulatory decisions. All of this occurs in a context where ultra-processed foods, controversial additives, and misleading advertising strategies, particularly aimed at children and adolescents, are proliferating.