Chile presents a convincing case for requiring warning labels on processed foods

This World Food Day (October 16), Chile announced mandatory warning labels for products containing high salt, sugar, saturated fat and calories, reducing consumer appetite for unhealthy products. He presented solid evidence.

Countries around the world are grappling with diets that increasingly consist of ultra-processed products. related associated with obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The proliferation of these highly processed, additive-rich products has been accompanied by an inevitable marketing onslaught by the food and beverage industry, much of it aimed at children.

In this rapidly changing global food environment, Chile's progressive food policy offers new insights. Through the introduction of comprehensive policies that include both front-of-pack labeling and marketing regulations, Chile has continually demonstrated that policy can significantly influence consumer behavior and improve public health.

Passed in 2016, Food labeling and advertising lawThis included requiring the introduction of black octagonal nutrition warning labels on the front of packages, warning consumers of products high in sugar, salt, saturated fat and calories. Marketing regulations aimed at protecting children from rampant food marketing and a ban on the sale of ultra-processed products in schools.

In previous evaluations of Phase 1, significant decrease In addition to purchasing products that are high in “nutrients of concern,” 73% decrease The issue of children in Chile being exposed to regulated foods and drinks on television.

In the years since its enactment, Chile's law has provided public health researchers, advocates, and policymakers with a similar roadmap for global healthy food policy.

There's growing evidence that warnings work

New research published in PLOS medicine Researchers from the University of Chile and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have shown that under the second phase of the Nutrient Warning Labeling Act, Chileans are purchasing significantly less sugar, salt, saturated fat and calories.

Researchers found that households purchased 37% less sugar, 22% less sodium, 16% less saturated fat, and 23% less total calories from products with warning labels. These numbers show that when consumers have clear and accessible information, they can make healthier choices.

They also confirm what researchers observed after the first phase of Chile's law, that people purchased fewer items high in the nutrients of concern, and these changes were even more pronounced in the second phase. It was remarkable.

Importantly, the data showed that these changes are fair across socio-economic groups and are a collective win for all Chileans.

The impact of these labels goes beyond just numbers. They serve as an important tool for empowering individuals to take control of their health in a food environment dominated by marketing strategies aimed at steering consumers towards less healthy ultra-processed products. I will.

The Chilean government is going beyond just informing consumers by requiring bold warning labels on products high in sugar, sodium, saturated fat and calories. It's changing the narrative around food consumption.

Second new study published in American Journal of Public Health We investigated compliance with mandatory front-of-pack labeling provisions in Chile's historical food policy.

In the final and most nutritionally rigorous phase of the law, an astonishing 94% of products required to bear these labels were properly labeled. The results of this mandatory policy stand in sharp contrast to the much lower adoption rates of voluntary labeling programs in countries such as: Australia and new zealand.

This compliance is Effectiveness of coercive policies—When regulations are clear and enforcement is strong, the industry has no choice but to adapt.

Increased knowledge changes social norms

These two new studies further support the effectiveness of Chile's 2016 Food Advertising and Labeling Law. The country has seen improvements in the quality of nutrition. its food supplya development that has the potential to improve the diet quality of the population.

Furthermore, increased knowledge Food and Shifts with Warning Labels social norms Helping consumers make healthier choices. Moreover, with these changes, the number of children is also decreasing. Exposure to harmful food marketingdue to strict marketing restrictions by law.

These remarkable advances have led to new health initiatives in Chile. Recent actions to extend warning labels with calorie and safety information to alcoholic beverages demonstrate a multifaceted approach to health issues.

Chile's actions have sparked a wave of similar efforts in other countries aiming to improve the food environment and the health of their populations.

Across the Americas, eight similar policies are rapidly being adopted, mirroring Chile's efforts, to require black “stop sign” warning labels on foods and beverages high in nutrients of health concern. Ta. This trend signals a growing recognition that health policy can and should prioritize public welfare over corporate profits.

Mandatory labels are most effective

Health organizations around the world are paying attention. The World Health Organization (WHO) recently launched an initiative to help more countries combat diet-related diseases and create enabling and supportive food environments. released We invite comments on the draft guidelines for nutrition labeling policies. (The deadline for comments was October 11th.)

The core principles of this guideline include strong recommendations for implementing front-of-pack labeling policies and interpretive front-of-pack labeling.

The WHO's leadership and actions on this issue are commendable, and its draft guidelines will provide a very useful blueprint for Member States to develop and implement these policies.

However, the guidelines could be strengthened based on evidence from Chile. An evaluation of Chile's policies clearly indicates the need to: Required Features of front-of-package labeling system Nutrient warning labelsIt has been shown that most effective Helping consumers identify unhealthy products.

Research shows that mandatory regulation by Chilean law can be directly related to the observed policy effects of reduced purchases of unhealthy products and higher compliance rates.

The lesson is clear. Evidence-backed public health policies can drive major changes in consumer behavior, improve nutrition, and ultimately improve population health.

But while Chile has made impressive progress, the work is far from over. Public health experts and policy makers will build on these early results to address other issues, such as the availability of affordable fresh fruits and vegetables and the impact of social media marketing on children. I'm trying to deal with it.

In an era where convenience trumps health, Chile's commitment to enacting decisive policies to help consumers make healthier choices in their daily lives provides a way forward.

This is a reminder, especially in light of: World Food Day 2024 The theme 'The Right to Food for a Better Life and a Better Future' argues that informed choices lead to healthier lives and that policy can be a powerful tool for change. Masu.

Dr. Lindsey Smith-Taley is an associate professor in the Department of Nutrition at the Gillings School of Global Public Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a nutritional epidemiologist with a focus on healthy food policy design and evaluation.

Image credits: Siapek, Global Health Policy Incubator .