Frontal labeling of food, in progress: the first “traps” discovered and how fulfilled

On February 16, the extension for large food companies to implement the front-labeling law expired. A gondola tour allows you to see this there are still many black octagons missing from product packaging processed to show whether they are high in sugar, sodium or saturated fatFor example.

In the give and take of industry government, the standards ended up amazing. a few days ago, vestibule businessmen led, for example, to the creation Ordinance on nurseries for work spaces, which comes into force on March 23. Food labeling was no exception, with individual negotiations to circumvent municipal laws.

On the eve of the last deadline for large companies – small and medium-sized companies still have 6 months to adjust – Inter-American Heart Federation (FIC) Argentina conducted research during January and February this year to analyze compliance with various aspects of labeling laws which included six supermarkets in the city of Buenos Aires corresponding to different chains.

“A total of 105 products with warning labels and caution labels were identified. Among the main results, it stands out that Non-compliance was detected in 83% of supermarkets (that is, in 5 out of 6 surveyed) according to arrangement of products in the gondola”, they detailed the preliminary results that determine the trend.

In this frame, they found products whose seals were not visible to the consumer, without the packaging having to be turned upside down (for example, in soda bottles and jam jars). The “front” label, as its name suggests, indicates that they must follow the “cover” of the product.

excess fat, reduced

On the other hand, 67% of supermarkets (4 out of 6 surveyed) had them price related promotions (such as “15% off” and “50% off second unit”) on branded products, which also displays non-compliance with the provisions of the Law.

The Food Products Industry Coordinator (Copal) assured before the consultation with Chronicler on the level of adequacy which “It is not yet possible to accurately determine the companies that already have the possibility of applying frontal labeling in the products they represent in the gondolas of each company manages this transition independently”.

Although the law has already entered into forcefrom Copal point out the “reserves” that the companies negotiated, and which They have different adjustment times. and, for example, “many of them have claimed to be out of stock; whereby those products that do not have a seal do not necessarily mean that they violate the Law”.

The adjustment period for SMEs expires in the next six monthswhich explains that today the product for small and medium-sized companies is next to a similar one, but from a multinational company, they don’t have to wear stamps yet. In a year, there will be new octagons and warning boxes unless companies reformulate products, and there will also be restrictions on advertising packages with more than one seal.