Mexico – Senate unanimously approves the draft of the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food

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The Senate approved a bill to enact the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food, which establishes the bases for the promotion, protection, respect and guarantee of the right to food.

The draft decree was approved, in general, with 98 votes in favor; and 95 votes in particular, so it was sent to the Chamber of Deputies for its corresponding procedure.

The Law prioritizes the rights to health, the environment, water, as well as the best interests of children, in the policies related to adequate food designed by the Mexican State.

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

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Mexico – Decree banning trans fats in food and beverages in effect as of September 20

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On September 20, the addition to Article 216 BIS of the General Health Law, which prohibits the use of partially hydrogenated oils and limits trans fats to 2 grams per 100 grams in industrial production, becomes effective.
The Decree prohibits foods, beverages, oils and edible fats from containing trans fats. The decree, approved at the beginning of the year, will be permanent and will affect the production line of multiple companies in the country.

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

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Brazil/Article – Whole grain products in Brazil: the need for regulation to ensure nutritional benefits and prevent the misuse of marketing strategie

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OBJECTIVE: This study aims to evaluate the use of “whole grains” claims in food products marketed in Brazil and evaluate the nutrient profile of these products.

METHODS: Data from 775 grain-based packaged foods collected in Brazil from April to July 2017 were analyzed. Based on the INFORMAS protocol for food labeling, the prevalence of packaged foods with “whole grains” claims was estimated. Information on the list of ingredients was analyzed to evaluate the presence and amount of whole or refined grains in six food groups. The nutrient profiles of the products with and without “whole grains” claims were compared using the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) nutrient profile model.

RESULTS: The packages of about 19% of the evaluated products showed “whole grains” claims in their front panel. Of these, 35% lacked any whole grains among their top three ingredients. Breakfast cereals, granola bars, bread, cakes and other bakery products, cookies, and pasta had higher amounts of refined flour than whole grain ingredients in their compositions. We found 66% of products with “whole grains” claims were high in nutrients of concern according to PAHO’s criteria.

CONCLUSION: Our results showed that over a third of the products in Brazil with “whole grains” claims lacked whole grains as one of their main ingredients. Most had a high content of nutrients associated with noncommunicable chronic disease risk factors, indicating the overestimation of their health benefits.

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

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Bolivia – Bolivia develops field research on the effectiveness of front-end nutritional labeling

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Between July and August, the country conducted field research in the three departments of the central axis to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of front-of-pack nutrition labeling on food products with a view to its future implementation.
It has been shown that front-of-pack nutrition labeling on food products helps consumers to be more aware of the potential harmful effects of a product and to choose healthier alternatives.
The research process in Bolivia is led by the Ministry of Health and Sports, through the Directorate of Health Promotion and the nutrition areas of the Departmental Health Services (SEDES in Spanish) of Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, La Paz and the Regional Health Service (SERES) of El Alto, with technical support from the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) and the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés (UMSA in Spanish).

The results of this research will guide the identification and development of an appropriate front-end nutrition labeling scheme for consumers in Bolivia, allowing the population to easily identify when a product is excessive in critical nutrients associated with obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs in Spanish). It will also help consumers make informed choices regarding the foods they consume and discourage the consumption of products with excessive sugar, fat and sodium content. This will ultimately result in contributing to the protection of public health and the reduction of health costs, including improving the economy.

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

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Brazil – Amends Normative Instruction No. 211, dated 1, 2023, which establishes the technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of food additives and technology aids authorized for use in foods

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Portuguese) published Public Consultation No. 1,198 amending Normative Instruction No. 211, dated 1° 2023, which establishes the technological functions, maximum limits and conditions of use of food additives and technology aids authorized for use in food.

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

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