EAS: Latin America Eye Health Claims Regulation

BUENOS AIRESThe Argentine National Administration of Drugs, Foods and Medical Devices (ANMAT) recently introduced guidelines on the assessment of health claims in food advertising, a move EAS Food Law Manager Elodie Lebastard said is an example of a growing trend towards the regulation of health claims in Latin America. She noted while health claims themselves are not yet covered by the Argentine food legislation, the countrys Guidelines for the Presentation and Scientific Assessment of Health Claims for Foods mark the start of potential future provisions in this area.

The guidelines, which were published at the end of last year, follow the same trend as other countries in the region such as Brazil, Chile and Colombia, which have already listed some health claims permitted for foods with conditions of use. The Argentine guidelines cover any food advertising intended for the general public, but not food labeling and dietary supplements. The Disposición that introduces the guidelines also includes a provision for the creation of an Evaluation Committee for the authorisation of Health Claims for Foods.

A key objective in the authoritys move to further regulate the use of health claims is improving public health, said Lebastard. It is too early to predict how many health claims will receive favourable assessments from the Evaluation Committee and how favourably pro-and prebiotics, which were recently integrated into the Argentine Food Code, will be treated.

The guidelines feature 15 points, one of which states human studies to substantiate a health claim will be given priority over animal and in vivo/ex vivo studies, which will only be considered supportive.

This requirement is similar to that of the European Unions Nutrition and Health Claims Regulation, said Lebastard, however, with a different angle improving public health, rather than the EUs main object of preventing misleading information to the consumer it will be interesting to see how these guidelines are implemented in practice in Argentina.