labeling

Brazil – Supreme Court of Justice compiles resolutions on the right to information in product packaging and labeling

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The Superior Court of Justice (TSJ) published a compilation of resolutions related to the right to information about the packaging and labeling of products sold in the country, in order to ensure that consumers have access to essential data about the composition and health risks, without imposing unfeasible or disproportionate burdens on suppliers.

Among the notable precedents, the Superior Court of Justice (STJ), in the ruling of Special Appeal No. 1,185,323, established that beers with an alcohol content of up to 0.5% cannot bear the designation “non-alcoholic” on their labels. Under the direction of Minister Laurita Vaz, the court ruled that, although the administrative regulation classifies such beverages as non-alcoholic, the protection guidelines of the Consumer Protection Code (CPC) prevail to prevent the public—especially people with medical or religious restrictions—from being misled.

On the contrary, in the ruling REsp No. 1,605,489, the Third Panel exempted wine producers from indicating sodium and calorie values, understanding that the sector has its own regulations from the Ministry of Agriculture and that the principle of specialty should guide the labeling of such beverages.

Another relevant precedent analyzed by the Court, REsp 1.788.075, refers to the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs), popularly known as transgenic organisms. The Court validated a federal decree that limits the mandatory labeling of GMOs only to foods with a concentration higher than 1%, justifying that minimal accidental contamination during the storage and transportation of grains would make production unfeasible if the absolute absence of traces were required.

Brazil – ANVISA modifies the lists of components, usage limits, and claims in dietary supplements

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The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA in Spanish) has published Normative Instruction IN No. 431 of ANVISA, dated April 1, 2026, which modifies Normative Instruction No. 28, dated July 26, 2018, that establishes the lists of components, usage limits, claims and supplementary labeling for dietary supplements.

Updates:

I – “List of authorized components for use in food supplements, except those indicated for infants (0 to 12 months) or young children (1 to 3 years old),” as stated in Annex I;

II – “List of minimum limits of nutrients, bioactive substances, enzymes, and probiotics that dietary supplements must contain, in the recommended daily intake and by population group indicated by the manufacturer,” as stated in Annex III;

III – “List of maximum limits for nutrients, bioactive substances, enzymes, and probiotics that dietary supplements cannot exceed, in the recommended daily intake and by population group indicated by the manufacturer,” as stated in Annex IV;

IV – “List of authorized claims for use in the labeling of food supplements and their respective composition and labeling requirements,” as stated in Annex V; and

V – “List of additional labeling requirements for food supplements,” as stated in Annex VI.

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Panama – Industry representatives request greater clarity in the labeling of substitute products

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Amid the growing debate regarding the use and commercialization of products in Panama, the Panamanian Industrial Union (SIP in Spanish) has called for the strengthening of regulations and transparency in food labeling, aiming to safeguard the consumer’s right to be accurately informed.

The issue, which gained prominence recently due to the conflict between milk producers and processing plants, has highlighted the necessity to clearly differentiate between original products and substitutes, which imitate or replace others without being identical in composition.

Lorena Henríquez, a representative of the SIP, explained that the discussion extends beyond the dairy sector. “This is a timely issue that erupted due to milk, but it is applicable to other sectors. Consumers often do not understand what a substitute or imitation is. Greater clarity in regulations and labeling is needed,” she stated.

Source of information: En Segundos

Colombia – INVIMA introduces new guidelines for the depletion of food and beverage labels

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The National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA in Spanish) informs all stakeholders that guidelines have been established for the process of depleting labels and using adhesives on food and beverages, in accordance with Resolution 5109 of 2005 and 810 of 2021.

The requirements were set forth in resolution 2025013945. This administrative act introduces significant changes compared to the previous procedure, aiming to enhance clarity, efficiency, and proportionality in the regulation for users of the health system:

  • Depletion without prior authorization: For the first time, it is permitted that, in specific cases where there is no health risk or error in the product’s nature, labels can be depleted without the need for prior authorization from Invima. This measure aims to reduce unnecessary administrative burdens on the entity, facilitating the legal marketing of products with minor labeling errors.
  • Authorizations with a defined timeframe: In instances where prior authorization is required, it will be granted for a single period of 18 months through a duly justified administrative act.
  • Individual analysis for unaddressed cases: Situations not explicitly covered by the new resolution will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis to ensure a technical, consistent, and fair application of the regulation.

It is important to note that there will be no changes to the cost of the process or the time taken to review applications. This ensures that regulatory adjustments do not impose additional burdens on industry stakeholders. Through this resolution, Invima reaffirms its commitment to advancing a technical, proportional health regulation that serves public health and development.

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Chile – Proposal for a new graphic standard for food labeling in Chile

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Article published in the book Propuestas para Chile 2024. The research was developed within the framework of the UC 2024 Public Policy Competition. Despite existing regulations, in Chile there are still deficiencies in the legibility and comprehension of labeling, exposing the population, especially those with dietary restrictions, to health risks. This report proposes a new graphic standard for labeling, based on a study of 300 products and a usability test that revealed legibility problems in aspects such as the size and contrast of the typography, the format of the allergen declaration and the difficulty to identify the ingredients section.

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