Structural responses to the obesity and non-communicable diseases epidemic: the Chilean Law of Food Labeling and Advertising
Author
dc.contributor.author
Corvalán Aguilar, Camila
Author
dc.contributor.author
Reyes Jedlicki, Marcela
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Garmendia, María Luisa
es_CL
Author
dc.contributor.author
Uauy Dagach-Imbarack, Ricardo
es_CL
Admission date
dc.date.accessioned
2014-01-02T15:13:47Z
Available date
dc.date.available
2014-01-02T15:13:47Z
Publication date
dc.date.issued
2013-11
Cita de ítem
dc.identifier.citation
obesity reviews (2013) 14 (Suppl. 2)
en_US
Identifier
dc.identifier.uri
https://repositorio.uchile.cl/handle/2250/124023
Abstract
dc.description.abstract
In 12 July 2012, the Chilean Senate approved the Law of Food Labeling and
Advertising, resulting from the joint efforts of a group of health professionals,
researchers and legislators who proposed a regulatory framework in support of
healthy diets and active living. Its goal was to curb the ongoing epidemic increase
of obesity and non-communicable diseases. Two actions included: (i) improving
point of food purchase consumer information by incorporating easy-to-understand
front-of-packages labeling and specific messages addressing critical nutrients, and
(ii) decreasing children’s exposure to unhealthy foods by restricting marketing,
advertising and sales. We summarize the work related to the law’s release and
discuss the conclusions reached by the various expert committees that were
convened by the Ministry of Health to guide the development of the regulatory
norms. Throughout the process, the food industry has overtly expressed its
disagreement with the regulatory effort. The final content of the regulatory norms
is still pending; however there are suggestions that its implementation will be
delayed and might be modified based on the industry lobbying actions. These
lessons should contribute to show the need of anticipating and addressing potential
barriers to obesity-.prevention policy implementation, particularly with respect to
the role of the private sector.