Brazil – Senate is reviewing a bill concerning the labeling of ultra-processed foods

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The Federal Senate is expected to consider Bill 2.722/2025, which proposes mandatory warnings regarding the potential carcinogenic nature of ultra-processed foods on product labels. This initiative, introduced by Senator Dr. Eudócia (PL-AL), is awaiting referral to the thematic committees of the Chamber. The bill aims to amend Decree-Law No. 986 of 1969, which regulates basic food standards.

If approved, the bill requires that ultra-processed products clearly and visibly display the phrase “high carcinogenic potential” on the front of the packaging. The proposal also stipulates that the competent authorities will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring compliance with this measure, imposing penalties on violators in accordance with the Consumer Protection Code, as well as other administrative sanctions.

Dr. Eudócia justifies the proposal as a means to enhance transparency and ensure that consumers have access to information regarding the risks associated with the consumption of highly processed products. The senator emphasizes that ultra-processed foods often contain ingredients that are rarely used in home cooking and additives that may hinder consumers and health professionals from identifying these products

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Brazil – MAPA defines the criteria for the use of the expression “Long Life” in dairy products subjected to UAT or UHT

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The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) has published ORDER SDA/MAPA No. 1,330, dated July 21, 2025, which establishes the criteria for the use of the term “Long Life” in dairy products subjected to ultra-high temperature (UHT) thermal treatment.

Article 1. The criteria for the use of the term “Long Life” in the labeling of dairy products subjected to Ultra High Temperature (UHT) thermal treatment are defined.

Article 2. The term “Long Life,” once used in the product labeling at the manufacturer’s discretion, must be included:

I – below the product’s commercial name; and

II – in the label panels, excluding the main one.

PORTARIA SDA_MAPA Nº 1.330, DE 21 DE JULHO DE 2025 – PORTARIA SDA_MAPA Nº 1.330, DE 21 DE JULHO DE 2025 – DOU – Imprensa NacionalDownload

Dominican Republic – ONPECO supports the front-of-pack nutritional labeling proposed by the Ministry of Public Health

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In 2019, the National Observatory for Consumer Protection (ONPECO in Spanish) submitted a proposal for a Nutritional Labeling Law to the National Congress, convinced that a law would give greater regulatory force. This resolution by the Ministry of Public Health could become the basis for more robust legislation, as is already the case in other countries. Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Panama, and others in the region are promoting labeling laws as a way to help reduce deaths from chronic diseases.
ONPECO understands that EFAN’s proposal is not a whim of the Ministry of Health, but rather responds to a mandate from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), based on scientific evidence. These institutions have documented that chronic noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are the leading cause of death in Latin America and the Caribbean, and these can be prevented if the foods we buy are clearly labeled with their contents, which can be achieved through front-of-package nutritional warning labels. The Front-of-Pack Nutritional Warning Label (FPNW) represents a tool for consumers to exercise their right to know what they are consuming and whether a product can harm their health. ONPECO fully supports the Ministry of Public Health’s proposal to implement black octagonal labels with white lettering indicating whether a product contains excess sugar, saturated fats, trans fats, or sweeteners. This measure does not apply to all foods, but only to those containing critical ingredients.

Guatemala – Ministry of Economy supports initiative promoting regulation of healthy foods

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On Tuesday, Representative Jairo Flores summoned Gabriela García, head of the Ministry of Economy, to learn the ministry’s position on Initiative 5504, a law promoting healthy eating.

Congressman Flores explained that the bill seeks to guarantee the population’s right to make informed decisions about the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the damage they can cause to their health, as well as to implement front-of-package labeling for products that contain excessive amounts of sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats (vegetable fat created by industrial processes).
Minister Gabriela García said that the position of the ministry she represents is in favor of the bill, which she considers important given that the rates of diseases caused by the consumption of processed products are triggering various illnesses.
At the end of the meeting, it was agreed to hold a technical roundtable with the participation of MiNECO, the Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security (SESAN), the Ministry of Public Health and Social Assistance (MSPAS), academics, and social organizations.
The legislator reported that the technical roundtable will hold a meeting on July 29, to which these entities will be invited.

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Peru – CENADIM urges healthcare professionals to report any suspected adverse reactions related to the use of products containing Ashwagandha

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The National Center for Drug Documentation and Information (CENADIM in Spanish) has published a news item related to the risk of liver damage from consuming ashwagandha.

“In September 2023, the Netherlands Pharmacovigilance Center (Lareb) reported cases of liver toxicity associated with products containing Withania somnifera (L.) Dunai, commonly known as “ashwagandha” or “Indian ginseng.” In June 2025, Lareb updated the information with new reports of liver damage associated with the use of ashwagandha received up to that date.
Ashwagandha is a plant that has been used in traditional Indian medicine for thousands of years. It is said to promote better sleep and have beneficial effects against physical and mental stress. In the Netherlands, products containing ashwagandha are classified as dietary supplements and therefore do not require the pre-marketing authorization required for medicines”.

In Peru, there are current health records for pharmaceutical products containing ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) as a dietary supplement and natural product in the form of pills, tablets, capsules, chewable gel, and gummies, which are sold over the counter without a prescription.
Healthcare professionals are urged to report any suspected adverse reactions related to the use of products containing ashwagandha to the Peruvian Pharmacovigilance and Technovigilance System through NotiMED (https://vigiflow-eforms.who-umc.org/pe/sra).