PAHO – Best Practices for Front-of-Package Food Labeling in the Americas Region

18/03/2026 / infoAlimentario

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has published a report on “Best Practices for Front-of-Package Food Labeling in the Americas Region.”

The report evaluates the degree of alignment of the implemented regulatory frameworks with best practices for the application of this policy, in accordance with scientific evidence and PAHO recommendations, analyzing the essential elements of front-of-package labeling systems in terms of graphic design, the criteria for identifying products susceptible to front-of-package labeling, and the prohibitions on the packaging of products that bear front-of-package labeling. To develop the analysis, standardized parameters and expert review were used. The results show significant progress in countries like Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, while also identifying gaps and opportunities to strengthen regulation in the Region, both in countries that are already implementing it and in countries that are in the process of development. Similarly, the analysis highlights the use of the OPS Nutrient Profile Model as a key tool for identifying products that are subject to front-of-package labeling. This publication constitutes a key resource for policymakers and public health actors committed to improving food environments and preventing non-communicable diseases.

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The Americas – Argentina: Authorities remain tight-lipped on content of front-of-package food labeling regulation

22/02/2022 / infoAlimentario

Sources from the Ministry of Health assure that the draft is “in the final agreement stage” with the institutions “that participate in the development stage as well as in the subsequent implementation stage”. They do not specify when the final text will be known.

The Ministry of Health confirms that the regulation has been developed under an inter-sectorial agenda with all the actors involved; ministries and public bodies, civil society organizations, representatives of the industry chambers. All voices have been heard in order to carry out a responsible and comprehensive regulation, which allows the correct implementation of a public policy that promotes healthy habits and access to information in a clear and timely manner”.

Among the aspects that remain to be defined, an important one is the calorie seal. On this there is information, although incomplete: “The enforcement authority defined that in food and alcoholic beverages the application of the seal ‘excess calories’ will apply if they have at least one seal of excess sugars and/or total fat and/or saturated fat and when the energy value limits are equal to or greater than those established in Article 6” of the Law on Front Labeling.

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

The Americas – Panama: Interest groups oppose stopping discussion of the front-of-package food labeling law

22/02/2022 / infoAlimentario

Nutrition specialists have defended the continuation of the discussion of Bill 265, after hearing the request of businessmen to stop the bill, which would oblige imported and local food products to detail their nutritional information on the front of the packages.

The argument of the businessmen is that the norm cannot be implemented in the country because Panama is still in arrears with the rest of Central American countries in terms of establishing a general labeling technical regulation.