Current policies in Brazil for ensuring nutritional quality

• Published in: Food quality and safety 2017-12, Vol.1 (4), p.275-288
• Main Authors: Block, Jane Mara, Arisseto-Bragotto, Adriana Pavesi, Feltes, Maria Manuela Camino
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2399-1399; 2399-1402
• DOI: 10.1093/fqsafe/fyx026

ObjectivesIn this work the current policies and regulatory actions of the government agencies in Brazil for ensuring nutritional quality are discussed.Material and methodsInformation on the efforts of industry, academia and nongovernmental organizations to achieve the proposed goals, the results achieved and the challenges that must still be faced by the different sectors of the Brazilian society are presented and discussed.ResultsThe joint action of regulatory agencies, the food production sector, non-governmental entities and academia resulted in the reduction of saturated and trans fats, salt and sugar in foods produced in Brazil.LimitationsMost of the information related to the food industries in Brazil is made available by ABIA (Brazilian Association of Food Industries) which represents around 60% of the food market in Brazil. Information regarding the rest of the market is limited.ConclusionsThe reduction of saturated and ‘trans’ fats, sodium, and sugar in industrialized foods seems an effective strategy for reducing the intake of these compounds by the Brazilian population. In addition the adequate nutrition labeling and consumer education will allow healthier food choices by the population.