National Administration of Medicines, Food and Medical Technology (ANMAT in Spanish) published Provision 4830/2023 by which the amounts of the fees for procedures related to food products, dietary supplements, food for specific medical purposes, establishments, packaging, import/export, laboratory analysis, authentications and federal network of laboratories are updated, according to the detail that, as Annex IF-2023-74581826-APN-DGA#ANMAT is an integral part of this provision.
Canada – List of Permitted Food Enzymes (Lists of Permitted Food Additives -June 2023 update)
This List of Permitted Food Enzymes sets out the authorized food enzymes that are capable of catalyzing a chemical reaction and that are used as a food additive. It is incorporated by reference in the Marketing Authorization for Food Additives That May Be Used as Food Enzymes.
Article – Do Brazilian consumers intend to use food labels to make healthy food choices? An assessment before the front-of-package labelling policy
Front-of-package labelling is a measure that can facilitate consumption of healthier foods. This study examined the predictors of consumers’ intentions to use food labelling to make healthy food choices and prevent non-communicable diseases before the implementation of the front-of-package labelling policy in Brazil. An extended theory of planned behaviour incorporating knowledge and food literacy served as the theoretical foundation. First, experts (n = 6) and the target population (n = 30) validated the questionnaire, and the validation data were analysed using content validity coefficients (CVC). An online questionnaire was administered to 783 participants, and data were collected between May and October 2022. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the prediction hypothesis. The questionnaire showed adequate content validity, with all indicators of CVC ≥ 0.75. In the PLS-SEM attitudes (p < 0.001), subjective norms (p < 0.001), knowledge (p < 0.001), and food literacy (p < 0.001) positively predicted the intention to use food labels to make healthy food choices, confirming the main hypothesis. Also, Food literacy and knowledge predicted all constructs of the theory of planned behaviour (p < 0.001). The results highlight the importance of providing nutritional knowledge and food literacy, developing nutritional skills and abilities to encourage consumers to make healthy food choices, and to strengthen other policies such as front-of-package labelling.
Peru – Approval of modification of food promotion law on the use of stickers that are difficult to remove
The Standing Committee of the Congress unanimously approved, in the first vote, the opinion of Bill 3933, which modifies Law 30021, Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating for children and adolescents, regarding the use of stickers that are difficult to remove.
Elías Varas Meléndez (PB), president of the Commission for Consumer Defense and Regulatory Bodies of Public Services, stated during the presentation that what is sought with the advertising stickers is the protection of human health and to adequately inform the consumer (children and adolescents to prevent obesity, overweight and non-communicable diseases).
He said that suppliers will adapt to the modification established in this law within a term not exceeding sixty calendar days, counted from its entry into force.
Colombia – The Ministry of Health informs that from June 14 begins the process of implementation of Resolution 2492/2022
The Ministry of Health informs that from June 14 begins the process of implementation of Resolution 2492 /2022, which establishes the technical regulation on nutritional and front labeling requirements to be met by packaged and packaged foods for human consumption. According to the regulation, the way to highlight the nutritional characteristics will be with the inclusion of stamps on the label, which will consist of an octagonal symbol with a black background and white border, and inside the text “EXCESS IN”, followed by “SATURATED FATS” or “TRANS FATS” or “SODIUM” or “SUGARS” or with the text “CONTAINS SWEETENERS” individually or with one or three or four or five stamps, as appropriate
According to the Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (Invima), between December 2022 and February 2023, they received around 5,200 procedures for the exhaustion of label stock, i.e., companies requested Invima to allow them to use up the existing units that do not have the labeling.
For the time being, those who have made the request, and have not received a response, may continue to market their products in the meantime. If they made the request before February 28, 2023, and it is approved, they will have until June 14, 2024 to use up the products that do not have the new label.
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