Enabling consumer-friendly front-of-package nutrition labelling in MERCOSUR countries
Front-of-package (FOP) food labels have been recommended by the World Health Organization and public health experts worldwide as an effective measure to strengthen understanding of nutritional information and help consumers make healthy choices. This project, implemented in partnership with the Fundación Interamericana del Corazón-Argentina and the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection, will develop a sound evidence base for the promotion of effective FOP food labelling systems in Argentina and Brazil. The current political context presents an opportunity to move forward with policy discussions. However, interested stakeholders need to have a better understanding of the legal and economic implications under the current regional and international economic agreements in place.
The aim of this multi-component research study is to promote effective evidence-based mandatory FOP food labelling systems in Brazil and Argentina, support policy discussions, and assess the factors affecting its adoption in other MERCOSUR countries (full members Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay; suspended member Venezuela; and associate states Chile, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). This research will study the regulatory and policy frameworks, analyze to what extent gender dimensions are considered, assess the political facilitators and barriers affecting the introduction of a FOP labelling system, analyze the arguments used by superior legal courts of products that can pose risks to public health (such as tobacco or asbestos), and assess the arguments used by the food industry to hinder the promotion of FOP labelling.
In Brazil, the national regulatory health agency is already considering novel FOP food labelling alternatives. In Argentina, the project team will work with strategic stakeholders to assess the most suitable FOP labelling system. The project will enable a process of inter-country and multi-actor collaboration and increase regional capacities in this domain. Expected research outcomes include: evidence-based legal and technical recommendations to promote FOP food labelling systems in the MERCOSUR countries; extrapolating legal arguments used in other public health cases for food labelling policy discussions; developing commonly-agreed counterarguments to those presented by the food industry in policy processes in the region; and the determination of the most suitable FOP labelling system in Argentina.
Project ID
108644
Project Status
Completed
End Date
Duration
30 months
IDRC Officer
Roberto Bazzani
Total Funding
CA$ 531,000.00
Location
Argentina
Brazil
Paraguay
South America
Programs
Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Climate-Resilient Food Systems
Institution Country
Brazil
Project Leader
Ana Bortoletto
Institution
Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor
Institution Website
Institution Country
Argentina
Project Leader
Luciana Castronuovo
Institution
Fundación Interamericana del Corazón-Argentina
Institution Website
Outputs
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Efficacy of different front-of-package labeling systems in changing purchase intention and product healthfulness perception for food products in Argentina Article
Objectives. To identify the front-of-package scheme—Multiple Traffic Light (MTL), Nutri-Score (NS), and black octagon Warning System (WS)—most effective in reducing purchase intention and perceived product healthfulness of drinking yogurts, cookies and cheese spreads, and to assess the joint influence of nutrient claims on the effects. Methods. Randomized-controlled experiment. A within-subjects factorial design was used to evaluate the influence of three independent factors on perceived product healthfulness and purchase intention. A total of 704 adults in Argentina were shown three mock-up products and asked to indicate which product they would buy choosing between pairs of products from different categories and to rate product healthfulness on a 7-point Likert scale. Results. The WS was the most effective in reducing purchase intention in drinking yogurts (OR:0.16, 95%CI: 0.09;0.28), cookies (OR:0.10, 95%CI: 0.05;0.18) and cheese spreads (OR:0.10, 95%CI: 0.05;0.18), and the perception of healthfulness (WS Mean score 3,63 vs No label 4,24, p<0.001), regardless of the participants’ gender, age, and level of education. NS was inefficacious in reducing product healthfulness perception, while MTL had significantly increased how healthful the product was perceived (p<0.001). Conclusions. In line with growing evidence, our findings support that WS perform better than NS and MTL in reducing purchase intention and healthfulness perception of products with excessive amounts of critical nutrients associated with the greatest burden of diseases. Front-of-package WS are expected to facilitate the population in Argentina to make healthier decisions. Author(s): Castronuovo, Luciana, Victoria Tiscornia, Maria, Guarnieri, Leila, Martins, Enrique, Gomes, Fabio S, Allemandi, Lorena Language: English |
Etiquetado frontal de advertencias : guía para identificar y responder a los argumentos de la industria alimenticia y sus aliados Informe
Author(s): Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón Argentina Language: Spanish |
Políticas para promover un etiquetado frontal en alimentos y bebidas : recomendaciones para Argentina Informe
Author(s): Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón Argentina Language: Spanish |
Arguments used by trade associations during the early development of a new front-of-pack nutrition labelling system in Brazil Article
The study identifies and analyzes several arguments from trade associations and the food industry that can undermine front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) policy under development in Brazil. It includes details of the proposed FOPL system, the role of different actors in the process, and the policy process itself. Food industry actors have used arguments to reinforce and legitimize their position as a necessary part of the discussion on front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) and shift the blame away from their unhealthy products. Interference from powerful economic actors might impede the development and implementation of public health policies being created in Brazil. Author(s): Mialon, Melissa, Khandpur, Neha, Laís, Mais Amaral, Martins, Ana Paula Bortoletto Language: English |
Políticas para promover un etiquetado frontal en alimentos y bebidas : recomendaciones para Argentina Informe
Author(s): FIC ARGENTINA Language: Spanish |
An analysis of regulatory scenarios on food labeling in Brazil and Argentina within the overall context of MERCOSUR Brief
A summarized analysis is presented in this two-page brief regarding the current legislation on food labeling and packaging in Argentina, Brazil, and Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) member countries, and of the World Trade Organization (WTO) regime on front-of-package labelling (FOPL). Author(s): Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor, Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón Argentina Language: English |
Front-of-package labelling (FOP) : a collaborative regional study with countries members of the Common Southern Market (MERCOSUR) Report
The project provides evidence for mandatory front-of-package labelling (FOPL) systems in Brazil and Argentina and enables policy discussions in the rest of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) countries. The regulatory process of food labelling in Brazil and Argentina depends on harmonization as part of MERCOSUR trade agreements, which is considered an obstacle for in-country improvements. Latin America is leading in best practices for the nutrition labelling regulatory process. Front-of-package warning labelling is being adopted by several countries. Attempts at hindering, blocking and delaying the regulatory process by agents of the food industry are common. Author(s): Martins, Ana Paula Bortoletto, Mais, Laís Amaral Language: English |
Promoción de políticas de etiquetado frontal de alimentados en Brasil y Argentina Estudios
Author(s): Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón, Argentina, Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor Language: Spanish |
Lanzan una campaña para que se apruebe el proyecto de etiquetado frontal de alimentos Artículo
Author(s): El Dia Language: Spanish |
Mapeo informativo – etiquetado frontal del alimentados Informe
Author(s): Cerra, Berenice, Ríos, Belen, Allemandi, Lorena, Fundación InterAmericanada del Corazón, Argentina Language: Spanish |
Informe de resultados : evaluación de efectividad de diferentes sistemas de etiquetado frontal de alimentos en niños/as en Argentina Documentos
Author(s): Fundación InterAmericanada del Corazón, Argentina Language: Spanish |
Etiquetado frontal de alimentos en Argentina y Brasil : barreras y facilitadores jurídicosnabling Estudios
Author(s): Rios, Belén, Cerra, Berenice, Cury, Cecilia Language: Spanish |
Lecciones aprendidas del control de tabaco : decisiones judiciales que ratifican políticas de salud pública Estudios
Author(s): Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón, Argentina Language: Spanish |
Stakeholders’ arguments against and on favor FOP policy : an analysis using the framing framework in Argentina Article
This investigative study aims to generate evidence to promote effective front-of-pack labeling (FOPL) policies in Brazil and Argentina. It provides analysis of the main arguments regarding labelling policy from legal, health and industry points of view. Several countries in the region have already implemented FOPL systems: Ecuador, Perú, México, Chile, Uruguay and Brazil (2018, 2019). However, several actions displayed by food industries’ corporate political activity work to obstruct different health promotion policies. In Argentina as well, the FOP process has not been exempt from the intervention of food and non-alcoholic beverage industries. Author(s): Castrunuovo, L., Guarnieri, L., Tiscornia, V., Allemandi, L., Pizzara, M.E. Language: English |
Encuesta para evaluar la influencia de tres sistemas de etiquetado frontal en la percepción de saludable y la intención de compra de determinados productos Informe
Author(s): Fundación Interamericana del Corazón-Argentina Language: Spanish |
Pronunciamiento de la coalición nacional para prevenir la obesidad infantil en niños, niñas y adolescentes sobre etiquetado frontal de advertencias Informe
Author(s): Coalición Nacional para Prevenir la Obesidad Infantil en Niños, Niñas y Adolescentes Language: Spanish |
Declaración de organizaciones de la sociedad civil para la implementación de un etiquetado frontal de advertencias de alimentos en países de Latinoamérica Informe
Author(s): Fundación Interamericana del Corazón, Argentina Language: Spanish |
Consultoria juridica para el analisis de la estructura regulatoria nacional e internacional de rotulado de alimentos Paper
Author(s): Cury, Cecilia |
Front-of-package labelling (FOP) : a collaborative regional study with countries members of the common southern market (MERCOSUR) Report
The results and outputs of this project were used for advocacy and communication strategies to push forward the regulatory option of food nutrition labelling. Front-of-package (FOP) warning labelling is recommended as the most effective measure to understand nutritional information and to help consumers make more conscious and healthier food choices. The regulatory process of food labelling in Brazil and Argentina depends on harmonization as part of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) trade agreements, which is considered an obstacle for in-country improvements. This research study provides evidence to promote effective mandatory FOP labelling systems in Brazil and Argentina. Author(s): Martins, Ana Paula Bortoletto, Mais, Laís Amaral Language: English |
Promotion of food labeling policies in Brazil and Argentina Paper
The study works to generate evidence to promote an effective front-of-package (FOP) nutrition labeling policy in Brazil and Argentina and to encourage political dialogues in other member countries of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR). It presents legal arguments that support the promotion of FOP labeling policy for foods and non-alcoholic beverages in accordance with international standards. It identifies possibilities, limits and consequences of the promotion of changes in the internal regulations of MERCOSUR countries. FOP nutrition labeling is a public health measure directly linked to consumers’ right of access to accurate information, the states’ duty to protect these rights, and the prohibition of misleading advertising. Author(s): Fundación Intermericana del Corazón Argentina, Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor Language: English |
Regulación de envases de alimentos y bebidas en el MERCOSUR perspectiva legal Informe
Author(s): Ríos, Belén, Cerra, Berenice, Chaddad, Maria Cecilia Cury, Castronuovo, Luciana, Tiscornia, Victoria, Mais, Laís Amaral, Martins, Ana Paula Bortoletto, Allemandi, Lorena Language: Spanish |
Análisis de los escenarios regulatorios de Brasil y Argentina sobre etiquetado nutricional de alimentos en el contexto del MERCOSUR Informe
Author(s): Alimentando Políticas Language: Spanish |
Promoção de políticas de rotulagem frontal de alimentos no Brasil Informe
Author(s): Language: Spanish |
Promoção de políticas de rotulagem nutricional frontal de alimentos no Basil e na Argentina Estudios
Author(s): Alimentando Políticas Language: Spanish |
Promoción de políticas de etiquetado nutricional frontal de alimentos en Brasil y Argentina Estudios
Author(s): Alimentando Políticas Language: Spanish |
Promoting front-of-package nutritional labeling policies in Brazil and Argentina Study
The report presents clear legal arguments towards the promotion of regulatory references for implementation of front-of-package labelling (FOPL) that includes critical nutrients of foods and non-alcoholic beverages under applicable international standards. It summarizes the current legal framework regarding labeling and packaging in Argentina, Brazil and Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), and considers the World Trade Organization (WTO) recommendations. The study provides evidence to promote effective FOPL policies in Brazil and Argentina, and to provide inputs in support of political dialogues in MERCOSUR countries. Author(s): Alimentando Politícas Language: English |
Lessons learned from tobacco control : court decisions that ratify public health policies Study
The report shows how food and beverage companies use legal arguments to block food labelling standards. Many of the arguments against front-of-package food labelling can be responded to based on similar judicial precedents in the area of tobacco control. In the 1990’s tobacco companies settled an agreement, the “Master Settlement Agreement” (MSA) obliging them to publish documents regarding misinformation campaigns that hid health consequences of addiction to nicotine, as well as the existence of strategies to block public health policies. Misinformation strategies deployed by the food industry are very similar to those used by the tobacco industry. Author(s): Fundación InterAmericana del Corazón Language: English |
Front-of-package nutrition labeling in Mercosur countries legal analysis of public health arguments in tobacco cases Study
This document provides legal analysis of Supreme Court cases related to tobacco products. It explores legal arguments and then extrapolates their application as a public health antecedent for the promotion of front-of-package labeling in food products. The paper identifies arguments, and provides rebuttal. For instance, the argument: “It violates intellectual property protections.” Rebuttal: “Generic or plain packaging does not infringe upon intellectual property rights, since the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights of the World Trade Organization grants ‘negative right’…” Author(s): FIC Argentina Language: English |