Chile implements new food labelling law to tackle growing obesity

Record ID: 93056

  • Title: Chile implements new food labelling law to tackle growing obesity
  • Date: 29th June 2016
  • Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (JUNE 28, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF CHILDREN DURING SCHOOL EXCURSION FAMILIES IN TOWN SQUARE CHILDREN SITTING IN SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) TEACHER, CONSTANT SAN MARTIN, SAYING: "The children basically have one minute for healthy food which is generally eggs, a sandwich, salad. The canteen in the school also helps because most of what it sells is dried fruit and those types of things." MORE OF CHILDREN SITTING IN SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SCHOOL GIRL, CATALINA, SAYING: "(I like) eating healthily because I don't get fat and I can grow more." MORE OF CHILDREN SITTING IN SQUARE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) SCHOOL BOY, ADONIS, SAYING: "(I like) eating health food to keep my bones healthy, for good health and to maintain good health." VARIOUS OF PEOPLE ON STREETS VARIOUS OF KIOSK SELLING ONLY FRUIT AND DRIED FRUIT MORE OF PEOPLE WALKING
  • Embargoed: 14th July 2016 21:36
  • Keywords: Chile law food labelling packaged products sugar saturated fat sodium calories Health Ministry obesity
  • Location: SANTIAGO, CHILE
  • City: SANTIAGO, CHILE
  • Country: Chile
  • Topics: Health/Medicine
  • Reuters ID: LVA0054OAWXMR
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Chilean authorities have announced the South American nation will implement a new law this week on food labelling, requiring packaged products to carry the label "high" if it exceeds the limits of sugar, saturated fat, sodium and calories established by the country's Health Ministry, officials reported.
    Whilst Latin America's developing economies have made inroads into tackling hunger, many nations are now grappling with growing obesity which affects 22 percent of the population, the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organisation reported earlier this year.
    According to figures released by the country's Health Ministry, one in every 11 deaths in Chile are attributed to obesity.
    "We are the country in Latin America with the highest rate of obesity. This is really important to us. How to fight this with different strategies. The public policy that has just been launched by our president, is one of those (strategies)," said Health Minister Carmen Castillo.
    The food labelling act - which include McDonald's Happy Meal and Ferrer's Kinder Surprise eggs - will allow the consumer to have "clear and understandable information" of products that they are able to purchase, according to local media reports.
    Every 100 grams of solid foods are able to have up to 275 calories, 400 milligrams of salt, ten grams of total sugar and four grams of saturated fat. If the products exceed those limits, then a black logo with "high in fat" should be printed, local media reported.
    Speaking on the initiative, President Michelle Bachelet said the move was more than just putting a warning label on food packets.
    "It's an unprecedented regulation in the world because what we're talking about is more than just putting black octagonal labels on food. It's stricter than just restricting the sale of unhealthy products in schools. It's more than just regulating advertising for this type of food. What we're talking about is consistent and decisive action which tackles various factors that cause poor diets and overweight and obesity," she said.
    Other measures include banning unhealthy food from school cafeterias and require all schools to provide water fountains to reduce the consumption of sugary drinks.
    Meanwhile, AB Chile, the association that brings together leading producers in the country, said that the first stage of the entry into force of the campaign, has meant an expenditure of $12 billion dollars.
    Chilean teachers are backing the move.
    "The children basically have one minute for healthy food which is generally eggs, a sandwich, salad. The canteen in the school also helps because most of what it sells is dried fruit and those types of things," said teacher Connstanza San Martin.
    And for children in the South American country the message for healthy eating is getting through.
    "(I like) eating healthily because I don't get fat and I can grow more," said seven-year-old Catalina.
    "(I like) eating health food to keep my bones healthy, for good health and to maintain good health," added schoolboy, Adonis.
    Obesity is the fastest-growing chronic disease, killing 2.8 million adults every year. Obesity-related conditions, including diabetes and heart disease, now cause more deaths than hunger, according to the World Economic Forum.
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