Seremi Oyarce initiates a health summary for violation of the "law of labeling"

The Department of Health of the Metropolitan Region, Rosa Oyarce – along with Senators Guido Girardi and Francisco Chahuán (two of the authors of the "Labeling Law"), inspected products packaged for the purpose to corroborate the presence of "black seals" in products that exceed the limits of so-called "critical nutrients", due to the new regulations that came into effect yesterday.

During the inspection at two service stations, Oyarce gave way to a summary at one of the premises

As part of the on-site investigation, the authorities found that cereals and sandwiches were not compliant with the regulations in force: they had stamps, but they were insufficient according to the new limitations, so they had to show more black discs. In the case of cereals, the "High in Calories" was missing and the "Alto en Sodio" was not present in the sandwich, a situation that led to the beginning of the health summary at the retail store where the irregularities were counted.

Seremi Oyarce pointed out that "some producers will have to reduce their critical nutrient levels or start labeling with warning pads the products that they have not tagged before."
Compared to the previous limits, current margins in solid foods, they are reduced to 15 grams of sugars (before it's 22.5 grams), 300 kilocalories (before they were 350 kcal) , 5 grams of saturated fat (in 2016 they were 6) and 500 milligrams of sodium (previously, the limit was 800), all for 100 grams of food.

In liquids, the reduction is 5 grams of sugar (formerly 6 grams), 80 kilocalories (before they were 100 kcal.), Saturated fats and sodium in liquids remain the same as e in previous regulations ; with 3 grams of fat and 100 milligrams of sodium, all for 100 milliliters of food.

In addition to the new limits, the second phase of the regulation completely prohibits the advertising of "high" foods from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm on television and in the cinema, even if they are not intended for children under 14 years old. Along with this, all advertising of these products should contain the message: "Prefer foods with fewer warning labels."

Oyarce positively evaluated the impact that the law has had on the population since its implementation. important for people about the added amount of sodium, saturated fats or sugars in a food. The population is already clear that if the product has black seals its excess consumption causes damage to health. "

" We are very satisfied with the compliance of a large part of the industry, which since the entry into force of the law, in 2016, lowered its sodium levels, saturated fats and sugars, which helps to improve the alarming rates of obesity and overweight, since nearly 11% of children under 6 are obese and nearly 24% They are overweight in our country "

Parallel to this, the authority stated that "when we prevent food with stamps from being present in educational environments, we ensure a healthy diet in food establishments," he said. Prebasic base. and a half, which prevents the normalization of this junk food in our children. In addition, the law has protected children under the age of fourteen from overexposure to advertising, banning commercial food stamps, raising alarming Chilean rates of childhood obesity. "

Since the launch of the law, the Seremi has conducted 829 inspections in educational institutions, supermarkets and media advertising." 171 health summaries have been initiated, where the biggest defect lies in the presence of products "Altos en" in schools, the absence of signage in supermarkets and outlets, as well as the advertising that links the drawings or brackets

Law Enforcement 20606 has been progressive over time and by June 2019, the limits will be further reduced and finally established.So according to Rosa Oyarce, "the progressive implementation of the regulations has facilitated the establishment of knowledge of the populations. and improved respect by the industry, since it has given time to adapt to its provisions. "