Mexican tortilla manufacturer changes packaging to denounce violence against women
Tortilla manufacturer Esperanza changed the packaging of its tortillas this month to raise awareness of femicide and domestic violence.
Labeling, marketing & advertising
Back on track? Court revokes Mexican nutrition label suspension but Concamin vows to fight on
Mexico's nutrition label is once again on path to enter into force as a court revokes the decision to provisionally suspend it, although industry says it will continue to oppose the regulation using "all legal means".
Judge suspends Mexico's nutrition label
A judge has temporarily suspended Mexico’s front-of-pack warning label following a request lodged by business lobbies on the grounds it was not widely consulted or based on scientific evidence.
Calls to abolish Brazil's mandatory GMO logo despite limited awareness
Brazil’s GMO logo has been mandatory since 2003 but three-quarters of Brazilians do not recognize it, according to a recent study. Should it be removed - as a draft law currently proposes - or redesigned?
Colombian government and food industry reveal mandatory warning label design
The Colombian government and food industry have agreed on warning nutrition labels that will become mandatory on unhealthy food and drink products sold in the country.
'Emotional well-being' fuels healthy food purchases in Brazil: Mintel
Demand for food products that are beneficial to emotional health and well-being is strong among Brazilian consumers even across different socio-economic categories, according to Mintel.
CONACADO cocoa cooperative: 'This could destroy businesses like ours'
EU organic regulation could damage small-scale Latin American farmers, warns Fairtrade International
The European Union’s proposed organic regulation will break up organic, Fairtrade, and small-scale farmers’ cooperatives, meaning they will struggle to survive in the global market, says Fairtrade International.
Warning labels set to enter into force in Uruguay: Is your product compliant?
Uruguay’s front-of-pack warning labels enter into force next month (March 1). We look at which products must comply and which are exempt.
Sweet success? Sugary drink sales plunge 23% in Chile, say obesity researchers
Sales of sugary drinks in Chile have plunged by almost one quarter (23.7%) after its raft of obesity-reducing strategies came into effect, according to a recent observational study.
Brazil's GM authorization law divides food safety and regulatory experts
A recent Brazilian law that streamlines the process for GM authorization has raised concerns it will weaken food safety - but not all experts agree.
Food industry opposes Mexican warning labels despite official approval
Food industry groups have criticized Mexico's newly approved nutrition label regulation, warning that the US, EU and Switzerland have voiced objections before the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Over one-fifth of fish sold in Buenos Aires province is mislabeled
Over one-fifth (21.3%) of fish sold in markets in Buenos Aires province is not the species labeled on-pack, according to a recent study, prompting calls for stricter regulations nationwide.
The factors driving Brazil's healthy eating trend
From Brazil's food guidelines - and its advice to avoid 'ultra-processed' foods - to the influence of social media, a number of factors are converging to help make the country's food healthier and nutrition-based, says one expert.
'A general situation of non-compliance': Chilean survey slams pork nutrient mismatch
All pork samples tested showed "noticeable differences" in the nutrition information declared on-pack and the actual nutrient content, according to a Chilean survey.
To reformulate or not? Kua Foods on preparing its portfolio for Mexico's nutrition label
Mexican food manufacturer Kua Foods, which has a mixed portfolio ranging from healthy smoothie mixes to candy, is following Mexico's nutrition label developments carefully. "We’re not worried, just waiting to see," says its business manager.
Brazilians' need to disconnect is driving premium beverage growth, says Euromonitor
Brazilian consumers are embracing JOMO - the joy of missing out – and this is helping premium beverage brands find their mojo. "Consumers want to disconnect... and this is impacting the brands they consume," says one analyst.
From Mexico with love: Nopal cactus seen as a healthy, functional food in Latin America
Brazilian consumers are interested in buying products made with nopal cactus, seen as a healthy functional food, according to a recent study. But how much export potential does the cactus really have in Latin America?
Target mothers to reduce Peruvian salt intake, say researchers
Sodium intake in Peru may be more than double WHO recommended limits and campaigns to reduce this should focus on mothers - the primary decision-makers for food purchases and meal planning, according to recent research.
Korin: Carrefour listing will bring healthy, sustainable meat to the masses
Leading organic brand Korin is supplying GMO-free chicken to Carrefour Brazil, which will help it bring healthy, certified sustainable meat to a large number of people, its managing director says.
‘A new fat’: Cargill Brazil develops ingredient to cut saturated fat in dairy
Developed by Cargill Brazil, Lévia+c is “a new fat” that can reduce the saturated fat content in ice cream, cream and dairy drinks by up to 30%.
Core nutrition trends in 2020 and beyond demand more from innovators
As research and development, manufacturing and marketing centers on a new decade in food and nutrition, we explore what market research provider, Euromonitor International, believes will be the strategic themes to look out for in the coming years.
Plastic food and drink packaging: Use it or lose it?
As Mexico becomes the latest country in Latin America to set national plastic-reduction goals, increasing numbers of Latinos are looking for plastic-free packaging options, according to market analysts. But how feasible is going plastic-free?
Seara Alimentos harnesses food tech for plant-based products
A division of JBS, the world’s largest meat processor, is producing vegetable protein from an advanced food tech hub called the Incredible Lab in Brazil.
Keeping compliant: Online archive tracks Brazil's 'complex' food regulations
Alimentus Consultoria is an open-access archive of Brazilian food legislation that can help manufacturers navigate the country’s complex and often over-lapping regulatory landscape, says one expert.
Mexico moves to stop plant-based use of dairy terms
Mexican deputies approved a draft bill that prohibits plant-based alternatives from using dairy denominations.
'Your eyes and ears on the ground': Why the right distributor is crucial to LATAM export success
Many Latin Americans see Western brands as aspirational and the region offers big opportunities - but a tailored export strategy is key to success, says one US-LATAM distributor.
Tapping into Brazil's niche but growing low-carb and keto market
With a rise in ketotogenic-friendly product launches to a recently launched low-carb front-of-pack logo, Brazil's keto market may be small but it interest is growing.
Chile’s food regulations are reducing unhealthy child marketing tactics
Fewer sugary breakfast cereals are using child-targeted marketing tactics since Chile’s strict food regulation, while healthier cereals are adding fun characters to their products, according to recent research.
'Demand has skyrocketed': Mexicans are willing to pay a premium for blue corn
Demand for blue corn products in Mexico is booming and consumers are willing to pay a premium price of up to 33%, according to recent research by CIMMYT.
Digital trading platform gives sustainable sugar sellers global reach, says Bonsucro
Bonsucro is a global multi-stakeholder organization that aims to promote sustainable sugarcane production, processing and trade through voluntary certification.
Eco-labeling could protect Chilean salmon from antibiotic backlash, say researchers
Chilean salmon is the country’s biggest export product but also the biggest user of antibiotics, which could cause a backlash as consumer concern over antimicrobial resistance increases, according to researchers. Sustainable certification could be the...
Sin Maíz No Hay País: Mexican law seeks to protect native corn
Mexican lawmakers want to legally protect native corn varieties they say are a fundamental part of the country’s biodiversity and national heritage.
Argentinian draft bill calls for mandatory nutrition label
An Argentinian politician has submitted a draft law to introduce mandatory front-of-pack labeling in the country.
Label harmonization will lead national nutrition strategies in 2020
Nutritional progression will take front and center stage throughout LATAM as public consultations, models and regulations drive change, says a regulatory expert.
Study: Sale of unhealthy foods decrease in Chile public schools
Research following the implementation of the Food-Labeling and Advertising Law in Chile showed a substantial reduction in the availability of competitive food and beverages sold in school kiosks.
Nestlé Chile makes Batido yogurt pots recyclable
Nestlé Chile has made its Batido yogurt pots more easily recyclable, inching towards its commitment that 100% of its packaging will be recyclable or reusable by 2020.
Mexican stevia sweeteners contain undeclared sugar
Mexican Federal Consumer Office Profeco has named and shamed some table-top stevia sweetener brands for containing sugar, some of which were undeclared.
Protecting consumers and brands: Voluntary safety certification on the rise in LATAM
Voluntary food safety certification in Latin America was once for export only– but it is increasingly in demand for domestic markets, according to BRCGS. “We keep the bar of certification high but achievable,” says its Americas director.
Oatly developers ready for repeat success with patented quinoa milk: ‘We can do it again with Quiny’
The business developer behind Oatly and a team of Bolivian scientists have developed Quiny, a patent-protected and naturally sweet quinoa powder for plant-based milks, and are gearing up for a Latin American launch.
FOOD FOR KIDS: Sesame allergy affects 17% of food-allergic children, new study suggests
Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found that sesame allergy is common among children with other food allergies, occurring in an estimated 17% of children with other food allergies.
On-the go snacks and gourmet salmon pieces can boost Latinos' low seafood intake, says Chilean producer
Pesquera Lacks is making it easy and convenient to eat fish and seafood with its healthy on-the-go snacks and gourmet smoked salmon pieces that are colored with natural vegetable extracts.
‘We are going where consumers are going’: PepsiCo nutrition chief on natural ingredients and nutrition labels
From creating amaranth and cactus snacks to supporting nutrition labels in Latin America, PepsiCo is listening to consumer demands for healthy products and clear nutrition information, according to Ricardo Pimenta, vice president of nutrition at PepsiCo...
Peru’s BioAI takes a bite at fish fraud with DNA testing kit
Peruvian biotech analytical firm BioAl has developed a kit that allows on-the-spot identification of fish species, clamping down on fish fraud and species substitution.
How supermarkets can help curb Latin America's childhood obesity crisis
By encouraging unhealthy food purchases, supermarkets are worsening Latin America’s childhood obesity crisis – but certain strategies can help both public health and retailer profits, according to a recent UNICEF report.
Mexico votes to strengthen food and beverage warning labels
Legislators in Mexico passed a new law that will require strong front-of-pack nutrition warning labels on processed foods and non-alcoholic beverages.
Central American countries crack down on misleading dairy terms
Central American countries are working together to crack down on companies including plant-based brands and dairy substitutes using dairy terms such as milk and cream.
Mercosur draft bill proposes harmonized nutrition labeling
The Mercosur parliament will study a draft bill proposing harmonized front-of-pack nutrition labeling and other measures to halt rising obesity rates in the bloc.
Brazilians have negative associations with food processing: Study
Brazilians perceive certain food processing techniques, such as pasteurization and HPP, negatively while fresh and cold-pressed juices are seen as healthy and natural, according to recent research.
Brazilian politician calls for front-of-pack pesticide label with draft legislation
Brazil has authorized more than one thousand pesticides in the past three years - a major health risk leading one politician to propose legislation for a front-of-pack pesticide label.
WATCH
Soy tacos, pea burgers and jackfruit burritos: How Mexican demand for vegetarian is evolving
Mexican food is traditionally very meat-based but this means there are many dishes where plant-based proteins can be added. We spoke to market analysts and ingredient suppliers to find out more about the market potential.