Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Do they really support "your freedom of choice"? FoPNL and the food industry in Brazil.
Mais, Laís Amaral; Mialon, Mélissa; Hassan, Bruna Kulik; Peres, João Marcos Darre; Dos Santos, Mariana Gondo; Martins, Ana Paula Bortoletto; Coutinho, Janine Giuberti; de Carvalho, Camila Maranha Paes.
Afiliação
  • Mais LA; Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Mialon M; Núcleo de Pesquisas Epidemiológicas em Nutrição e Saúde (NUPENS), Universidade de São Paulo (USP), São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Hassan BK; Trinity College Dublin, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
  • Peres JMD; ACT Promoção da Saúde, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Dos Santos MG; Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF), Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
  • Martins APB; O Joio e o Trigo, São Paulo, Brazil.
  • Coutinho JG; Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), São Paulo, Brazil.
  • de Carvalho CMP; Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), São Paulo, Brazil.
Front Nutr ; 9: 921498, 2022.
Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-36741995
Introduction: In 2020, Brazil approved the introduction of a new front-of-package nutrition labeling (FoPNL) in the format of a magnifying glass (MG) after years of discussion. There is currently a lack of understanding of the role of the food industry in that process. This study aimed to describe the corporate political activity (CPA) of the food industry and conflicts of interest situations, as they happened during the development and approval of a new FoPNL system in Brazil. Materials and methods: We undertook bibliographical and documentary searches using material from food companies, trade associations and front groups involved in the regulatory process. We (1) collected information about the case study context, (2) collected data from documentary sources, and (3) prepared a synthesis of the results and a timeline of key events. Results/Discussion: During the FoPNL regulatory process in Brazil, the food industry opposed the introduction of warning labels, a model supported by health authorities and implemented with success in other countries in Latin America. The food industry rather promoted a traffic-light labeling system, known to be less effective at guiding individuals to make healthier food choices. Later in the process, when it was evident that its preferred model would not be used, and a MG would rather be introduced, the food industry argued for the use of a different version of this FoPNL model. We found that the food industry, all along the process, was directly involved in and influenced the development of the FoPNL, by providing technical support, advising and lobbying policymakers. The food industry also established relationships with a consumer non-governmental organization and nutrition professional societies. The food industry also produced and disseminated information supporting its position in order to influence public opinion and high-level decision makers, and used the legal system to delay the process. Conclusion: The FoPNL in Brazil is neither aligned with the recommendations of international health organizations nor with existing independent scientific evidence. The new FoPNL, as adopted in Brazil, reflects some of the preferences of the industry; it is likely that the influence of that sector during the legislative process was pivotal, even if its initial proposal was not adopted.
Palavras-chave

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Tipo de estudo: Prognostic_studies País/Região como assunto: America do sul / Brasil Idioma: En Revista: Front Nutr Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Brasil País de publicação: Suíça

Texto completo: 1 Coleções: 01-internacional Base de dados: MEDLINE Tipo de estudo: Prognostic_studies País/Região como assunto: America do sul / Brasil Idioma: En Revista: Front Nutr Ano de publicação: 2022 Tipo de documento: Article País de afiliação: Brasil País de publicação: Suíça