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Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Latin America and the Caribbean

Guidance note

Year of publication 2023

Place of publication Santiago, Chile ;

Pages 28 p.

Author FAO; PAHO; UNICEF;

Publisher FAO ; PAHO ; UNICEF ;

Product type Policy brief

ISBN 978-92-5-137224-1

Synopsis (short abstract) One of the food and nutrition policies put into place to help address the increasing prevalence of obesity and overweight prevalence in Latin America and the Caribbean includes front of pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) laws and regulations, which inform the public about the nutritional content of food products and promote the reduction of the consumption of products with excessive amounts of critical nutrients. In Latin America and the Caribbean, ten countries have enacted FOPNL laws or regulations, five implemented them and five are yet to implement them. This guidance note draws from 45 research papers or reports on front-of-pack nutrition labelling systems present in Latin America and the Caribbean. This review of the literature shows that front of pack warning labels perform best in allowing the population to easily and correctly identify products with excessive amounts of critical nutrients and reduce the purchase of such products. In addition, it has been demonstrated that front of pack warning labels do not affect employment or wages in the food sector or other economic sectors. This guidance note also proposes a series of key considerations for the implementation of FOPNL policies. These include, among others: the need to have normative instruments that take into account the objectives and expected results, definitions, mechanisms for monitoring and evaluation, as well as a timeline for implementation. Finally, we recommend evaluating every implementation stage of the FOPNL in regards to the expected results.

Cite this content as:

FAO, PAHO & UNICEF. 2023. Front-of-pack nutrition labelling in Latin America and the Caribbean – Guidance note. Santiago.

https://doi.org/10.4060/cc1545en

Language English

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