The rules for food companies and producers, on the management of food allergens, were approved. These rules can be adopted by the legislation of each country and thus harmonize the requirements of trading partners.
The standards, which will apply to cereals containing gluten, crustaceans and their products, eggs and egg products, fish and fishery products, peanuts, soybeans and their products, milk and milk products, and nuts and their derivatives, were approved by the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC43), the body responsible for all actions related to the implementation of the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme and which focus on protecting the health of consumers and ensuring fair practices in their marketing, reported the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC).
As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
Exporters are preparing for the new regulation that will be implemented from 2020 in the U.S. market, among which is the application of a new table of nutritional data in packaged products.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported that both U.S. and foreign companies exporting to the U.S., must comply with new food labeling standards.
Starting June 2018 packaged products sold in the South American country must have a label warning about the high contents of sugars, sodium, saturated fats and calories.
In Guatemala, food industry businessmen are opposed to five bills that would change the rules on labeling and increase the tax on sugary drinks.
According to the Guatemalan Chamber of Food and Beverages (CGAB), bills that aim to increase VAT from 12% to 20% on sugary drinks and change the labeling rules, are based on misinformation.
The legislation takes effect in July 2018 for food companies with sales of over $10 million a year and a year later for companies with sales of less below that amount.
Most food manufacturers will have to use the new label by July 26, 2018, but those whose food sales are less than $10 million per year will have an additional year to comply with the requirement. The FDA plans to carry out publicity and education work on the new requirements.
"Clean" labels , healthy snacks, frozen and convenience foods, good fats and own name brands are some of the factors that marking out global trends this year.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
The main trends which will probably affect the food industry in 2015, have been identified by Innova Market Insights, from analysis of the most important events in the industry.
The FDA now requires calorie information to be included on menus of restaurants, chain, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) US:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has finalized two regulations requiring the inclusion of calorie information on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations, in order to offer consumers greater nutritional information on food eaten outside of the home. The regulations are a requirement of the law on Affordable Health Care and Patient Protection 2010.
Training is being provided in Guatemala on Central American Technical Regulations for companies exporting food and beverages.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association:
In order to expand knowledge and provide updates on general and nutritional labeling, and food additives for the processed foods and beverages industry, among other things; the Committee on Food and Beverages at AGEXPORT with support from the Department of Food Control Regulation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will be holding a training Workshop on Central American Technical Regulations (RTCA by its initials in Spanish).
Snacks, natural oils and fats, clarity of labeling, focus on "Millennials" and amateur chefs.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Five factors have been pointed out as playing an important role in the food industry in 2015
The market researcher Innova Market Insights noted that there are five factors which will play an important role in the food industry in 2015: clean labels, convenience for amateur chefs, marketing for millennials, snacks, and fats and good carbohydrates.
While some studies question the real benefits of a gluten free diet, overall retail sales have doubled since 2007, reaching $2.1 billion in 2013.
Responding to a consumer trend towards products considered natural and healthier the food industry has increased production of these products in order to take advantage of the growing market niche.
"Global retail sales of products specifically formulated to be gluten free have nearly doubled since 2007, reaching $2.1 billion last year, according to Euromonitor International. In Latin America, they grew by 6.3% between 2012 and 2013 to $94.8 million. The market research company projects that sales in this category of products in the region will amount to $127.3 million by 2018. "
The new labels will be red, yellow and green, highlighting the percentages of fat, saturated fat, salt, sugar and energy in food products.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The new front facing labeling system which aims to help consumers verify the healthy attributes of food products, is being introduced in all supermarkets in the UK.
The European Commission has approved the use of iron oxides and hydroxides for direct labeling fruits or vegetables using lasers.
From an article by the Costa Rica Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The European Commission (EC) approved on June 3 the use of iron oxides and hydroxides on the surface of fruits or vegetables by laser, these components contribute to the marking of product information and may be substituted for labels made of adhesive paper.
Beverage Industry Digital Magazine established in 1942, the oldest Spanish trade journal and the only beverage trade magazine serving the Latin American beverage market. It serves soft drink bottlers, brewers, bottled water...