NUTRITION

Food labeling. From July 1 to 5, the health ministers of the Mercosur member states (Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil) met in Argentina to discuss healthy eating. As part of the meeting, the health experts from these countries discussed the best way to promote food labelling in the region. For the moment, two systems stand out: a label that discourages the consumption of products high in salt, sugar and fat, and another that simply describes the food ingredients. Mercosur will resume the discussion on this topic within the framework of Brazil’s protémpore presidency, which will begin with formal meetings starting in August 2019.

The debate is based on the need for Mercosur countries to design a labelling scheme that does not hinder food trade between states. To date, this issue has been promoted in a disjointed way by the member countries of the strategic alliance.

Uruguay has favoured a system of labelling with black octagons that discourages the purchase of foods with a high content of sugar, salt and fat. On the other hand, Brazil held a public consultation for citizens and companies in the sector to hear their views. Although there is yet no confirmation from the Executive, it is thought the intention in Brazil is to incorporate a descriptive scheme of ingredients.

At the same time, Argentina is holding an internal debate on the issue of labelling. The Ministry of Health prefers a system that warns the consumer about critical ingredients, but the Ministry of Production favors a more descriptive scheme. Meanwhile, the Paraguayan government does not yet have a formal position. However, its Congress will begin to analyze, in August this year, a bill to establish a label with black octagons. Progress in these countries will depend on the position taken by Mercosur.

Next steps:

As part of Brazil’s Presidency, which will begin holding formal meetings in August, Mercosur health ministers will continue to study the possibility of designing a regional food labelling scheme. For the moment, they are studying a model of stamps that discourage the consumption of sugar, salt and fats and a descriptive scheme for foods. Mercosur’s intention is to get the countries that make up the regional alliance to opt for the same labeling system.