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.
As of December 13 all processed and packaged food and beverages to be sold in the European Union must include detailed nutritional information.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
In 2014 in the European Union, the European Regulation on Information and Food Labelling (Regulation 1169/2011) came into force.The standard improves labeling on all products in order to provide useful, readable and understandable information to consumers.
As of June 27, 2016 packaged products must have a label warning about the high levels of sugar, sodium, saturated fat and calories.
The new regulation also states that if the content of sugars, sodium, saturated fat and calories exceed the limits established by the new legislation, producers must label the container with a black symbol with white letters.
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.
The WHO should have anticipated the media impact of its report on the health effects of the consumption of red meat and processed meats, in order to avoid creating unnecessary panic.
EDITORIAL
Pablo León in an article on Elpais.com, highlights how unfounded is the alarm generated by the World Health Organization's (WHO) inclusion of processed meats (sausages, burgers, etc.) in the same category as being harmful to health, as tobacco, alcohol, plutonium and contaminated air because of its carcinogenic effects.
The Government of Canada has submitted a proposal to amend the nutrition information included in the labels of foods marketed in the country.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office :
The Government of Canada introduced on June 12, 2015 its proposals for modifying food labels and nutrition facts tables, with the aim of providing Canadians with a clear idea of what they consume.
A bill in Costa Rica aims to force all restaurant chains to include nutrition information on their food menus.
The bill states that the measure would apply only to the franchises which have more than five affiliated branches and aims to raise awareness of the amount of fat, sodium and sugar in the food on offer. If the initiative is approved, the menus will have to provide calorie information for dishes in a general format.
Costa Rican dairy farmers have denounced the fact that in the region regulations are not met nor are specifications on labeling and product features.
The Chamber of Milk Producers (CPL by its initials in Spanish) argues that there are companies in the region that are replacing animal protein with plant protein, or decreasing the percentage of fat in exchange for lowering the price of the product, which is not in compliance with the requirements and standards set out in the Central American technical regulations.
In 2013 for the third consecutive year, Americans bought more butter than margarine, spending $2 billion on various brands.
During times when the world is demanding more protein, dairy products such as butter, are returning to the table of consumers who are now more concerned about nutrition that their figures.
The Wall Street Journal reports that "...Every American will consume this year an average of 2.5 kilos of butter-or shortening, as it is known in some places, according to data from the U.S. government That equates to almost 22.5 bars per person, to reach a total of 892,000 tonnes in the whole country, an amount not seen since World War II. "
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. "
Including information on food labels relating to "added sugars", updating serving sizes and calories are some of the changes proposed.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is proposing an update to the Nutrition Facts labels used on most packaged food in the United States. If the proposal goes through, the following will be some of the proposed changes.
Mexican consumers are changing their habits. They are now better informed, seeking healthier choices and paying attention to nutritional information.
A statement from the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER) reads:
Studies highlight the nutritional habits of Mexican consumers
Several studies and surveys have detailed Mexican’s habits and behaviors revealing areas of opportunity for products in the food industry.
The Costa Rican Chamber of Food Industry is organizing the XII Congress on Health and Nutrition: Trends and Challenges, in the Hotel Ramada Herradura, June 12, 2012.
The food industry will propose solutions to excess weight and obesity in Costa Rica.
During the past 30 years the world has undergone changes that have caused a substantial change in lifestyles, and Costa Rica is no exception to this: According INCIENSA (2003), 40% of children are sedentary at home and overall, so is 50.1% of the population, according to the National Survey on Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the CCSS.
español
6404
