Packages began to contain a warning about excessive added sugar,
saturated fat and sodium in the composition of products.
Nutrition labels on packaged foods are getting a new look. The standard, approved by Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) on 10/07/2020, will enter into force. It dictates that the information must be placed on the front, not the back, of the packaging. The measure provides more clarity and readability of nutritional information on food labels and helps consumers make more informed food choices.
The new rule makes changes to the nutrition facts table.
Among the innovations is the adoption of a nutritional label on the front of the package, and according to Anvisa, the idea is to clarify to the consumer, in a clear and simple way, the high content of nutrients important for health.
Do you understand me? clarity of what is in ultra-processed products available on supermarket shelves?
to ultra processed industry create a product with appealing taste, aroma, appearance and texture it is necessary to use many substancessuch as food additives, sugars, fats and sodium.
However, they do not always appear clearly with that name in the list of ingredients, they often use synonyms and may raise some doubts about their quantity.
What would it be? the effects of this on our body?
New labeling aims to improve access to nutritional informationso that you are clear about the excess of some ingredients and can make better choices.
Why too much sugar, fat and sodium is harmful?
Fat, sodium and sugar are foods that already have scientific evidence that they cause harm to our health.
They are directly related to the development of obesity and chronic non-communicable diseases (NCD) such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, among others.
It is clear that it is one your right know what you are eating and if there is an excess of certain components in ultra-processed products.
new products should already present this warning on the front of the labeland those produced before October 9th will have a deadline to adapt the packaging.
We have high expectations that the eating habits of the population improve and natural foods take precedence over ultra-processed foods.
table changes
or Nutritional information table it is also undergoing changes. Information will only black letters and white background. The objective is to exclude the possibility of using contrasts that hinder the readability of the information. According to Anvisa, the idea is not to encourage the withdrawal of the purchase, but, on the contrary, to give the opportunity to know the best way to buy and to access the real information of what is consumed.
Identification of total and added sugarsthe declaration of energy and nutritional values per 100 g or 100 ml, to help compare the product and the number of servings per package.
The table should also, as a rule, be close to the list of ingredients and on a continuous surface, no breaks are accepted. It cannot be displayed in covered areas, deformed places or areas that are difficult to see. Exceptions are small products (labeling area less than 100 cm²), in which the sign can be displayed on covered parts, as long as they are accessible.
