Over the past 20 years, overweight and obesity have become a growing public health problem worldwide, affecting both children and adults, with concerning consequences for the health and economy of the region. According to the joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), entitled Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean (2022), the prevalence of overweight among children under 5 years of age reaches 7.5%, almost two percentage points above the global average. Among adults, the situation is no less alarming: 24.2% suffer from obesity in the region.
The consequences of this situation are multiple and serious. A high body mass index in childhood is associated with an increased risk of obesity in adulthood, respiratory difficulties, hypertension, premature death, and effects on emotional, behavioral, and cognitive development. In adulthood, obesity is a key factor in the development of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, strokes, and certain types of cancer. In addition, these conditions increase morbidity and mortality from diseases such as COVID-19, and the pandemic is expected to have intensified malnutrition, overweight, and obesity due to reduced household purchasing power and limited access to nutritious foods (FAO et al., 2022; WHO, 2021; UNICEF, 2021).
The economic impact is also significant. Estimates of annual costs associated with overweight and obesity in healthcare, workplace absenteeism, and premature mortality are enormous. For example, Mexico faces annual expenditures of more than USD 7.3 billion, while in Guatemala they exceed USD 3.8 billion, and in countries such as Chile and Ecuador these amounts reach USD 493 million and USD 1.746 billion, respectively (ECLAC and WFP, 2017; WFP and ECLAC, 2019a, 2019b, 2020a, 2020b).
Faced with this reality, FAO, PAHO, and UNICEF highlight the importance of implementing evidence-based public policies that promote healthy food environments. One of the most effective and globally recognized tools is Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling (FOPNL). The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified FOPNL as a key policy to help consumers make informed decisions, reducing the intention to purchase ultra-processed foods and products with high levels of critical nutrients that are harmful to health.
Likewise, all foods and non-alcoholic beverages containing sweeteners and/or caffeine must display the corresponding precautionary statement or statements, regardless of whether they exceed the established limits for critical nutrients and/or energy.
Progress in front-of-package food and beverage labeling in Latin America
In Latin America and the Caribbean, ten countries have already made progress in legislation and regulations on FOPNL. Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay have implemented warning systems using black octagons; other countries, such as Ecuador, have introduced a traffic-light system that warns consumers about levels from low to high, while Colombia and Venezuela are in the process of implementation. Studies show that mandatory front-of-package labeling, together with complementary policies such as advertising restrictions, regulation of foods in schools, and nutrition education campaigns, is more effective than isolated voluntary measures in curbing the rise of overweight and obesity (FAO et al., 2022).
In this context, strengthening regulatory frameworks and continuing to promote regional strategies that support healthy and sustainable eating habits is essential. FOPNL is positioned as a central pillar in the development of comprehensive public policies to combat obesity and improve population health.
Chile was a pioneer in the region, with Law No. 20,606 coming into force in 2016, requiring black octagons bearing the words “high in” on foods that exceed established limits. This regulation also prohibits the sale and advertising of these products in school environments and has had significant impacts, leading to product reformulation and a reduction in sales of sugar-sweetened beverages (The Food Tech, 2023).
Mexico implemented its front-of-package labeling law in 2020, using black octagonal seals with the word “excess” on products that exceed the limits established by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). It also prohibits the use of children’s characters on products carrying warnings and regulates nutrition claims to prevent misinformation (The Food Tech, 2023).
Peru adopted its own law in 2019 through Law No. 30,021, with front-of-package warning labels for products high in sugars, saturated fats, and sodium, particularly to protect children and adolescents (The Food Tech, 2023).
Uruguay also joined this trend in 2020, establishing warning labels similar to those used in Chile and Mexico, with the aim of reducing the consumption of ultra-processed products and promoting healthier eating habits (The Food Tech, 2023).
Argentina, for its part, passed Law No. 27,642 on the Promotion of Healthy Eating in 2021, requiring black octagons on foods and non-alcoholic beverages that exceed critical limits. This regulation began to be implemented in stages starting in 2022 and also regulates advertising and sales in school environments (Pan American Health Organization, 2022).
In 2025, its implementation and differentiation were adjusted and, although the difference is small, we believe it will make it possible to identify excesses in industrialized products and help the population better determine what to buy and what not to buy within the same food group.
Brazil began implementing its law in 2022, with warning labels in the form of black rectangles featuring a magnifying glass and the words “high in” for products that exceed critical nutrient limits. According to studies, this measure, supported by the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA), has improved consumers’ perception of healthiness and their understanding of nutritional content (The Food Tech, 2023).
Colombia enacted Law No. 2120 in 2021, which came into force on June 15, 2024. This law establishes mandatory front-of-package labeling for foods containing excessive levels of critical nutrients. A previous study conducted by the Red Paz organization (2018) showed that warning labels had a greater impact on the perception and selection of healthy products compared with other models such as Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) (The Food Tech, 2023).
Since 2014, Ecuador has used a traffic-light labeling system that indicates levels of sugars, fats, and sodium through colors, although some specialists suggest that black octagons have a more effective impact on consumer behavior (Pan American Health Organization, 2022).
According to the most recent PAHO report (2022), the countries that have enacted mandatory front-of-package labeling legislation are Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela.
Since 2023, Bolivia has also used a traffic-light labeling system, which establishes that all foods marketed in the country must have clear and accurate labels providing truthful and complete information about their contents, quality, and characteristics.
Paraguay, unlike other countries, has chosen to use a magnifying-glass system rather than octagonal warnings. The label must therefore be black on a white background and contain the uppercase text “HIGH IN” SUGARS, SATURATED FATS, SODIUM.
In Caribbean countries, as in most LATAM countries, black octagonal front-of-package warning labels also prevail.
Scientific evidence collected to date indicates that these measures contribute significantly to reducing the consumption of products high in sugars and fats, encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products, and increasing nutritional awareness among the population (Pan American Health Organization, 2022; The Food Tech, 2023).
All stakeholders in the food and beverage industry can play a key role in this change by promoting product reformulation to reduce sodium, sugar, fat, and calorie levels and thus offer healthier options to consumers.
Sources:
The Food Tech: “Así ha avanzado el etiquetado frontal en América Latina para impulsar dietas saludables,” March 9, 2023.
The Food Tech: “La ley de etiquetado de alimentos en América Latina: ¿qué países la han adoptado?”, 2023.
Pan American Health Organization (PAHO): Front-of-Package Nutrition Labeling in Latin America and the Caribbean, 2022.
