CRN4 Com Ciência - Rotulagem Nutricional

Summary

Ana Paula, a nutritionist with specialization in collective nutrition, discusses the significance of nutritional labeling in food products. She highlights the recent updates introduced by RDC 429/2020, which mandates clearer, standardized labeling to improve consumer health awareness. The new regulation, effective from October 2022, includes mandatory front-of-pack labeling, providing clear warnings about high levels of sugar, saturated fats, and sodium in foods. Ana Paula explains the impact of these changes, which aim to enhance the nutritional knowledge of consumers and foster healthier food choices across Brazil.

Takeaways

• 😀 The new nutritional labeling regulations in Brazil, RDC 429/2020, aim to improve consumer awareness and protect public health through clear and accurate information on food packaging.
• 😀 The updated legislation, which came into force in 2022, introduces modifications like front nutritional labeling, which highlights high levels of critical nutrients like added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium.
• 😀 Nutritional labeling is considered a vital tool for health protection and consumer education, helping individuals make better food choices and promoting healthier diets.
• 😀 The new rules apply not only to packaged foods but also to beverages, food ingredients, additives, and industrially processed products, which were previously excluded from nutritional labeling requirements.
• 😀 The legislation includes a transition period for various product categories, with specific deadlines for compliance based on product type and manufacturer size.
• 😀 Nutritional tables must now include specific details such as the number of servings per package, values per 100g, and the daily percentage values for nutrients, allowing for easier comparison between different products.
• 😀 The new format requires that nutritional information tables be written in black letters on a white background for better legibility, regardless of packaging color.
• 😀 There are four standardized models for presenting nutritional information, including vertical and horizontal layouts, with some flexibility for smaller producers or certain types of products.
• 😀 Nutritional claims (e.g., 'rich in nutrients') are now more strictly regulated, with clear definitions of which terms can be used and how they should be presented to ensure consumer clarity.
• 😀 The introduction of front-of-package labels that warn consumers about high levels of specific nutrients is a key change. This system, using standardized labels for excess sugar, sodium, or fats, aims to raise awareness and reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods.
• 😀 Certain natural foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and meats, are exempt from front labeling requirements, as they are considered minimally processed and encouraged in the Brazilian dietary guidelines.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Ana Paula's research?

Ana Paula's research focuses on nutritional labeling, specifically the modifications introduced by the new resolution regarding food labeling in Brazil.

Why is nutritional labeling considered important for consumer health?

Nutritional labeling provides essential information about the nutritional composition of food products, enabling consumers to make informed choices. It is seen as an effective tool for public health protection and for promoting adequate and healthy diets.

What is the significance of the new RDC 429/2020 regulation?

RDC 429/2020, published by the Brazilian Ministry of Health through ANVISA, is a significant update to food labeling laws. It mandates clearer nutritional labeling on packaged foods and beverages, including new requirements for labeling on processed industrial products, which were previously unregulated.

When did the new regulation go into effect, and what are the deadlines for compliance?

RDC 429/2020 came into effect on October 9, 2022. Products produced from that date onward must comply with the new rules. Products already on the market before that date can continue to be sold until their expiration date. The deadline for compliance is extended until October 9, 2023, for products already on shelves, and small producers have until 2024.

What are some of the key changes in the nutritional information table with the new legislation?

The new legislation introduces several changes, including mandatory columns for both 100 grams and per serving, along with the percentage of daily recommended values (VD). It also requires the addition of total sugars and added sugars as mandatory information. Furthermore, the layout of the table is standardized with black text on a white background for better readability.

What is the purpose of the front-of-package nutritional labeling?

Front-of-package nutritional labeling aims to alert consumers to the high content of critical nutrients such as added sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, which are associated with chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. The label is standardized and must be placed on the upper half of the package to ensure visibility.

How do the new front-of-package labels differentiate products with high levels of critical nutrients?

The front-of-package labels use a standardized system to display warnings when products exceed set thresholds for added sugars (15g per 100g for solids, 7.5g for liquids), saturated fats (6g per 100g for solids, 3g for liquids), and sodium (600mg per 100g for solids, 300mg for liquids). Products that exceed these limits must display a warning symbol indicating the high nutrient content.

What changes have been made to the format of the nutritional information table?

The nutritional information table now has mandatory columns for both 'per 100 grams' and 'per serving' values, in addition to the percentage of daily value (VD). The text must be black on a white background for clearer legibility, and the table must follow standardized formats such as vertical or horizontal layouts, with specific guidelines on font size and placement.

What are the new requirements for nutritional claims (previously called nutritional information claims)?

Nutritional claims must now follow stricter rules. Claims such as 'rich in' or 'contains' specific nutrients can only be made if the product meets certain criteria, and only authorized terms from the legislation can be used. These claims are categorized into absolute content, comparative content, and 'no addition' claims.

Which foods are exempt from the front-of-package nutritional labeling?

Foods that are classified as minimally processed or in natura, such as fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, and dairy products, are exempt from front-of-package labeling, except when they contain added nutrients that could significantly increase certain nutrient levels. These products are encouraged by public health guidelines and are not required to have the front-label warnings.