This paper proposes ten educational criteria to work on the Act for the Promotion of Healthy Eating in Chemistry classes (and other subjects) from a Human Rights perspective in order to promote critical attitudes towards food. The criteria were developed from an investigative and exploratory work on the implementation of the Act in supermarket shelves, the representations of people and the review of the manuals that establish its implementation. Throughout the article, different situations will be presented where the contributions of food science and technology in the implementation of the Act can be understood.
Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating
The Americas – Argentina: Concern in the business sector over the “extra cost” of the front labeling law
Jorge Pittón, said that it will have to comply with this regulation, since it will be a requirement to be able to enter supermarket chains and wholesalers. However, he pointed out that for small and medium-sized companies, making a new cliché for each package -the gum used to print the wrappers- implies a significant investment.
The Americas – Argentina: Regulations of the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating are published
The regulation of Law No 27,642 on Promotion of Healthy Eating was published in the Official Gazette through Decree No 151/2022.
The Decree describes that the use of front labeling with black octagonal graphic warning system on packaged products “turns out to be the most visible, understandable, clear and effective to identify critical nutrients in excess, transmit a greater perception of health risk and a better performance to reduce the intention, both of consumption and purchase in the Argentine territory”.
The Decree describes that the use of front labeling with a black octagonal graphic warning system on packaged products “is the most visible, understandable, clear and effective way to identify critical nutrients in excess, to convey a greater perception of health risk and a better performance to reduce the intention of both consumption and purchase in the Argentine territory”.
Relevant aspects
- The criteria of the nutrient profile model are set according to the following cut-off points for critical nutrients (added sugars, saturated fat, total fat and sodium) and/or sweeteners and/or caffeine and/or calories, according to values proposed by PAHO, and other types of warnings such as the presence of sweeteners or caffeine.
- Within its scope are included the market players that manufacture, produce, process, fractionate, package, entrust to package or manufacture, distribute, market, import, that have put their brand or integrate the value chain and marketing of food and alcoholic beverages for human consumption” throughout the country.
- Processed foods and beverages must bear black octagons of at least 5% of the size of the main face of the container when its composition exceeds a minimum threshold in each of these components.
- Commercial premises or points of sale, whether physical or online” are also obliged to comply with the law.
infoAlimentario 