The initiative aims to provide the population with the necessary information about the food they are going to consume and alert them to products that are high in sugars, fats and other substances that can be harmful.

On October 26, the Chamber of Deputies approved the Front Labeling Law in Argentina. The main objective of the project is to make visible to all and all consumers the presence in foods and beverages of high levels of the so-called “critical nutrients” (total fats, saturated fats, sodium, sugars and / or calories), according to criteria based on the “Nutrient Profile of the Pan American Health Organization”.

The main points of the Law are:

• It warns consumers about the excesses of components such as sugars, sodium, saturated fat, total fat and calories, based on clear, timely and accurate information.

• It promotes the prevention of malnutrition in the population and the reduction of chronic non-communicable diseases.

• It is aimed at manufacturers, fractionators and packers who distribute, market or import, who have put their brand or are part of the commercialization chain of food and non-alcoholic beverages for human consumption, throughout the territory of the Argentine Republic.

• Non-alcoholic foods and beverages packaged and marketed in Argentina must include legends such as “Excess in sugars”, “Excess in sodium”, “Excess in saturated fats”, “Excess in total fats”, and / or “Excess in calories”.

• In case it contains sweeteners, the container must contain a precautionary legend immediately below the warning stamps with the legend: “Contains sweeteners, not recommended for children”.

• If it contains caffeine, the container must contain a precautionary legend immediately below the warning stamps with the legend: “Contains caffeine. Avoid in children.”

• The stamp shall be in the form of black octagons with white capital letters and borders.

• The size of each seal will never be less than 5% of the surface of the main face of the container.

• It may not be partially or totally covered by any other element. In the event that the area of ​​the main face of the container is equal to or less than 10 square centimeters and contains more than one seal, the enforcement authority will determine the appropriate form of placement of the seals.

• The maximum values ​​for sugars, saturated fat, total fat and sodium established must meet the limits of the Nutrient Profile of the Pan American Health Organization.

Common sugar, vegetable oils and nuts are excepted from the stamping on the main face.

What does it prohibit?

The text of the project establishes a series of prohibitions. First of all, it prohibits non-alcoholic foods and beverages that contain any warning seal from incorporating supplementary nutritional information, logos or phrases in their packaging with the sponsorship or endorsements of scientific societies or civil associations.

In addition, it prohibits all forms of advertising, promotion and sponsorship of non-alcoholic foods and beverages packaged with at least one warning stamp that is directed especially to children and adolescents, since according to the National Survey of Nutrition and Health, carried out in 2018 In Argentina, the percentage of children from 0 to 5 years old with excess weight is 13.6%.

It is also prohibited to highlight supplementary nutritional claims that highlight positive and / or nutritional qualities of the products.

On the other hand, it is prohibited to include children’s characters, animations, cartoons, celebrities, athletes or pets, interactive elements, the delivery or promise of gifts, prizes, gifts, accessories, stickers, games, digital downloads, or any other element , as well as the participation or promise of participation in contests, games, sporting, musical, theatrical or cultural events.

Additional information: organic product labeling

Law 25.127 regulates organic production in our country, all products labeled as organic are produced in compliance with this law. Organic products are subject to official control by SENASA and national certification companies.

These foods are produced in establishments equipped with process and handling technologies that require labor and training, becoming a source of work, as well as generating income for producers and family farming.

To verify that the product is organic, look for the Organic Argentina logo, which is the one that guarantees its organic quality, through the certification of its production systems and subsequent processing, allowing it to be labeled as “Organic”, “Ecological” and “Biological”.