The Instituto Nacional de Vigilancia de Medicamentos y Alimentos (INVIMA in Spanish) , officialized the launch of the ‘Guía práctica de trámites de bebidas alcohólicas’, in coordination with the Embassy of the United Kingdom and the Delegation of the European Union. This event was attended by representatives of the alcoholic beverage industry, becoming a key space for the presentation of this important tool, whose purpose is to facilitate the processes of sanitary registration and associated procedures for these products.

The guide, developed by the Food and Beverages Directorate, details the technical and legal aspects to be considered in the study of the procedures, in accordance with the technical regulations governing alcoholic beverages in the country. In addition, it seeks to streamline and optimize the procedures for approval, efficiently ensuring compliance with sanitary and regulatory requirements.

The Ministry of the Interior and Public Safety has published Decree No. 98/2023 approving the Regulations of Articles 40 bis and 40 ter of Law No. 19,925 on the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages.

As in the case of food containers, alcoholic beverages -equal or higher than 0.5° alcohol content- shall have octagonal black and white seals, which in this case shall read as follows:

• “Do not drink while driving” (accompanied by the crossed-out drawing of a car) will be written on these stamps,

• “Risk for your baby” (accompanied by the crossed-out drawing of a pregnant woman drinking).

• “No drinking under 18”.