Chile Introduces Mandatory Warning Statements on HFSS Foods

BRUSSELSChiles draft law on nutritional composition and advertising approved in May 2012 will be the worlds first to require warning statements on foods high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS foods), announced the European Advisory Services (EAS). The legislation also expanded the list of mandatory nutrition labeling to include saturated fats and sugars alongside the calorie, protein, carbohydrate and sodium content.

EAS Regulatory Affairs Manager Ainhoa Larrañaga said HFSS foods will be required to carry labeling that contains statements such as high in " once the draft becomes law. She also noted Chiles Ministry of Health is discussing nutrient profiles to define these foods, with different nutrient thresholds applying to categories of foods, and the values that categorize foods high in fat, sugar and salt could be confirmed this month.

Although some countries, such as Singapore, South Korea, Thailand or countries of the European Union, are applying new rules on nutrition labeling be they voluntary or mandatory, Chile will be the first in the region and the world to make warning statements on food labels mandatory," Larrañaga said. Already in Peru a draft law, which will make warning statements on HFSS foods mandatory is being discussed. So it will be interesting to see the impact of this law in Chile when implemented and across the Latin American region."