02.04.13
Mercosur, the economic and political agreement for a “Common Market of the South” between Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela, agreed to harmonizing technical regulation in April 2012, which applies to food and food supplement label information, as well as any advertising media of foods produced in, or imported to, the member countries. The regulation includes all of the nutrients with which claims can be used, as well as their energy content. The regulation also specifies which new nutrients are eligible for claims, such as omega 3, 6 and 9 fatty acids and trans fats. Food products must be in compliance with the new regulation by January 1st 2014. Mercosur has already issued several harmonized regulations on food, covering issues such as food additives, nutrition labeling, Good Manufacturing Practices and contaminants.