FAO.org

4 July 2024, Buenos Aires, Argentina. FAO, through its Development Law Service (LEGN),participated in the international seminar “Challenges of Front-of-Pack Nutritional Labelling in Latin America and the Caribbean,” as part of the Diploma in Sustainability in the Food Industry. This event was organized by the M.I.T.A. System, the University of Parma, and the University of Buenos Aires. 

The prevalence of obesity and overweight in Latin America and the Caribbean surpasses the global average. To address this issue, the region has implemented front-of-pack nutritional labelling (FOPNL) regulations. These measures are supported by Annex 2 of the Codex Alimentarius Guidelines on Nutrition Labeling (CXG 2-1985), developed by FAO and WHO. FOPNL aims to inform consumers and promote the reduction of products with excessive critical nutrients. 

Gabriela Ayón Chang, from the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, presented the findings of the study “Front-of-Pack Nutritional Labelling in Latin America and the Caribbean” (available only in Spanish).Imahue Muñoz Carrasco, International Legal Consultant forLEGN, discussed key findings from recent jurisprudence on this topic. She highlighted landmark cases in Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico, where courts had to rule on the constitutionality and implementation of these regulations. The seminar provided a platform to share experiences and best practices, emphasizing the increasing complexity and relevance of these regulations in the regional context. 

FAO reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the development of regulatory frameworks that promote healthy diets and address the significant challenges posed by high rates of obesity and overweight in the region.