Brazil – Project to ban the use of titanium dioxide in food manufacturing

26/08/2022 / infoAlimentario

Bill 2257/22 was introduced in the Chamber of Deputies, which prohibits the use of titanium dioxide in the manufacture of food, as well as the importation of articles containing this substance. The text under analysis in the House establishes that any non-compliance with the regulations will be a violation of federal health regulations (Law 6.437/77).

Titanium dioxide is a chemical compound, derived from a natural mineral, used as an industrial colorant, among other purposes. Currently, this use is authorized in Brazil by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).

According to the author of the proposal, Deputy Ney Leprevost (União-PR), in the case of the use of titanium dioxide in food, studies indicate the potential to cause inflammatory lesions in the intestinal tract of experimental animals.

A proposal with similar content (PL 1370/11) passed through the House for two legislatures and was even approved by the Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, but ended up shelved in 2019.

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

Brazil: Nutrition labeling: new rules take effect in 120 days

15/06/2022 / infoAlimentario

The new rules (RDC No. 429 and Normative Instruction No. 75) for food labeling come into force on October 9, 2022. In addition to changes in the table of nutritional information and claims, the novelty will be the adoption of front-of-line nutrition labeling.

Therefore, it is important for companies to be aware of the deadline for compliance. New products launched on or after October 9, 2022 must already have labels suitable for the new rules. For products already on the market to date, the deadlines for adaptation are:

Until October 9, 2023 (12 months from the effective date of the rule) for food in general;
Until October 9, 2024 (24 months from the effective date of the standard) for foods produced by a family farmer or rural family entrepreneur, solidarity economic enterprise, individual micro-entrepreneur, small agro-industry, artisanal agro-industry and artisanal foods; and
Until October 9, 2025 (36 months from the effective date of the standard) for non-alcoholic beverages in returnable containers, observing the gradual process of label replacement. The labeling changes were established by Resolution of the Collegiate Board of Directors – DRC No. 429 and Normative Instruction No. 75, published in October 2020. The objective of the standards is to improve the clarity and legibility of food labels and, thus, help the consumer to make more conscious food choices.

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

Article – Brazil: Challenges for the Brazilian food industry: Food safety law

09/06/2022 / infoAlimentario

The objective of this research is to examine, collate and organize the main Brazilian regulations and food safety literature, highlighting key challenges for the Brazilian food industry. This is a qualitative study, using a specific procedure and an intentional sampling for data collection and analysis of open textual information. The results of this research show that there is some important challenges for the food industry, especially with regard to the general requirements that are applicable to any organization in the food chain, such as good manufacturing practices (GMP) standards and programs operational hygiene (SSOP), identification and analysis of risks of contamination and system hazard analysis and critical control points (HACCP).

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

Article – Brazil: Evaluation of the labeling and nutritional profile of processed foods intended for children

09/06/2022 / infoAlimentario

The offer of processed foods, especially the ultra-processed, is not recommended in the first years of life, since the consumption of these foods is associated with anemia, overweight and food allergies. The objective of this study was to evaluate the compliance of labels of processed foods intended for children with the Brazilian legislation in force and to analyze the levels of sodium, free sugars, sweeteners and total, saturated and trans fats described on the label. The nutrients were evaluated based on the PAHO Nutritional Profile Model. The results of the evaluation showed that the labels showed some non-compliance with the standards required by current legislation on food labeling.

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

Article: Trans-Fat Labeling in Packaged Foods Sold in Brazil Before and After Changes in Regulatory Criteria for Trans-Fat-Free Claims on Food Labels

31/05/2022 / infoAlimentario

According to Brazilian and Mercosur legislation, food labeling is mandatory for all ready-for-sale foods packaged in the absence of the consumer. Labels must contain descriptive information on packaged foods and beverages, including the ingredients list and nutrition labeling ). The nutrition facts label must contain quantitative descriptions of energy value, carbohydrates, proteins, total fat, saturated fat, TFA, and sodium. Although TFA information is mandatory, current legislation has limitations that make it difficult for consumers to correctly identify TFA in food products by using food labels (. One such example is the possibility for manufacturers to declare a TFA content of 0 g in the nutrition facts label when the product contains less than or equal to 0.2 g of TFA per serving, without any distinction between naturally occurring TFA and i-TFA.