The National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT en Español) has published Disposition 10867/2023 which includes the text of ANNEX I (IF-2019-06341144-APN-DERA#ANMAT) of ANMAT Disposition No. 4729/2019 by “GUIDE OF RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A SAFE GLUTEN-FREE MENU”.
Article – Labels, taxes, and food reformulation: A tale of sugar in carbonated soft drinks in Ecuador
The prevalence of obesity has increased significantly worldwide, including in low- and middle-income countries. In Ecuador, a middle-income country, the government has implemented two policies to improve the quality of its population’s diet: (1) a traffic-light (TL) nutritional labeling requirement for processed foods and (2) a special tax scheme for drinks with a high sugar content (HSC). This study examines changes in carbonated soft drink (CSD) sugar formulation and its associated impacts on sugar consumption after the implementation of these two policies. Sugar content in soft drinks was obtained from the National Agency for Health Regulation, Control, and Surveillance (ARCSA) and directly from the labels of carbonated soft drinks sold in the country. CSD monthly purchase data from January 2013 to December 2019 were obtained from the Kantar World Panel (Ecuador). Mixed reactions followed the introduction of the TL in the sugar content reformulation of CSD. In contrast, the implementation of the HSC tax scheme was followed by extensive efforts to reformulate CSD as all brands studied decreased their sugar content. We also found evidence that CSD consumption reduced significantly after the HSC tax scheme was imposed. Overall, sugar consumption linked to CSD decreased after the implementation of these two policies. Still, most of this decrease is related to reformulation activities observed after the HSC tax scheme was implemented.
Article/Brazil – Labeling with nutritional claims statements: dietary fiber
Food labeling is essential, new legislations on food labeling have been established to ensure legibility. Products with nutritional claims are present on the label and contribute to healthier choices, so it is necessary to have a clear and reliable label. This study aimed to analyze food labels with functionality claims for the presence of fiber, checking whether they comply with current legislation, in light of labeling updates. This research took place in 3 supermarkets in the city of Caucaia in the state of Ceara, North east Brazil and 30 labels with nutritional claims were selected. A check list was prepared based on RDC nº 727/2022, which included two articles, RDC nº 429/2020 and IN nº 75 with 38 items, and data analysis was carried out using the Excel program. An Adequacy of 89% was obtained in Article 4, and 73% in Article 7 of RDC 727/2022 and 51% in RDC nº 429/2020.
In relation to the percentage of conformity per label evaluated, 24 brands achieved 80%. It is observed that few labels are in accordance with the legislation, this implies nutritional labeling showed non-compliance, the nutritional claims displayed results below expectations, and so the market must initiate changes in order to meet the requirements of the current legislation.
Brazil – Anvisa approves Regulatory Agenda 2024-2025
The Collegiate Board of Directors (DICOL in Portuguese) of the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) approved through the Deliberative Circuit (CD 1.312, of December 15, 2023), the Regulatory Agenda (RA) for the 2024-2025 cycle.
The document, published in Ordinance 1.409/2023, is composed of 172 regulatory topics distributed in 16 macro-themes. According to the Normative Agenda Manual, the themes are aligned with the strategic objectives of the 2024-2027 Strategic Plan and are feasible to advance during the Agenda’s term.
The construction of the RA 2024-2025 was initiated through a consultation directed to society and entities of the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS) on the regulatory topics that should be addressed by Anvisa in the next biennium. On July 21, 2023, Public Notice 9 was published to receive comments from any interested party regarding the preliminary list of 102 regulatory proposals for the Agency’s AR 2024-2025, as well as suggestions for the inclusion of other regulatory topics.
Brazil – ANVISA updates its library of food regulatory documents
The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) has published the update of the updated library of food regulations in December 2023.
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