Ecuador is the first Latin American country to adopt the traffic light system on food product labels. It is a strategy to accurately warn consumers about the amount of sugars, fats and salt present in food and beverages.
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THEEcuador is the first country in Latin America to adopt the system of semaphore on food labels. It is a strategy to accurately warn consumers about the amount of sugars, fats and salt present in food and beverages.
The regulation for the labeling of industrial food for human consumption was developed by the National Agency for Health Regulation and Control (Arcsa). The initiative is inspired by the UK, where it has been strongly endorsed by the British Medical Association and Consumers International.
The goal is to warn customers of the presence of potentially dangerous ingredients for health, especially if taken in excess. The system is based on the use of colors, as in a real traffic light, to signal the maximum alert on theexcess salt, sugar and / or fat (red), a warning (yellow) or the green light (green).
In this way, the people of Ecuador will be able to receive clearer and more transparent information on their purchases. According to national consumer associations, the traffic light is part of the fight against obesity to promote a healthier diet that is less rich in salt, fat and sugar.
Arcsa will be available to consumers for any kind of clarification and for explanations on how to interpret the colors of the traffic lights of the information system. It will be up to the food companies renew the labels and accurately provide nutritional indications, following the new rules.
The traffic light system is described as an innovative method that will help prevent diseases of well-being, not only with regard to the aforementioned obesity, but also in reference to the diabetes. Citizens will better understand the content of packaged foods and will make more informed purchasing choices, thinking above all about health. In the hope that everyone remembers that really healthy foods, such as fresh fruits, vegetables and greens, they don't need any labels.
Marta Albè
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