On 22 March the Argentine Government published Decree N° 151/2022 that regulates Law N° 27642 for the promotion of healthy foods. 

In addition to the rules on the front-of-pack (FOP) labelling already foreseen in the above-mentioned law, this introduces the following:   

• ???Nutrition profiles for the two phases of implementation (See image below)
• The mandatory declaration of sugars in the nutrition table, differentiating between total sugars and added sugars, as well as the respective definitions for each term.
• The advertising, promotion and sponsorship of products displaying "EXCESS IN? seals in their labels are subject to control and surveillance by the National Medicines, Food and Medical Technology Authority (ANMAT).

Nutrient profile for the two phases of implementation of the FOP labelling in Argentina

Implementation

• The first phase of the implementation of FOP labelling will take the first 9 months after the publication of Law N° 27642, i.e., as of 12 August, products that exceed the established nutrient profiles must display the corresponding "EXCESS IN" seals.
• The second phase of implementation will be monitored and supervised 18 months after the law publication, in other words, from 12 May 2023.

Although the text provides for the possibility of an extension for first phase, so far, from Latin America, Argentina is the country that has given companies the shortest adaptation period for their labels. 

In addition, and as part of this decree, it was published a document describing the technical characteristics (dimensions, font, layout, colour, etc.) of the "EXCESS IN" seals and the warning statements on sweetener and caffeine content. 

Some regional comparisons

It should be noted that, although the nutrient profiles are based on those established by PAHO, the text published by Argentina resulted in the following nuances:

• Like Mexico and Chile, it also incorporated calories as part of the FOP labelling.  
• The values for total and saturated fats are the same as PAHO and Mexico. 
• Only added sugars are considered, as is the case in Brazil.
• The limits for calories and sodium, although similar to those established in Mexico for solid foods, in the case of beverages, the values established in Argentina are more restrictive. 

It is important to highlight that this regulation brings with it challenges in terms of label harmonisation and therefore for the marketing of the same product in different markets in Latin America thus, it is important to consider the differences and similarities in terms of FOP labelling. 

Reach out to us to know more about the FOP labelling regulation in Argentina and across Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Published: 24 March, 2022

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