The Importance of Food Labeling: Health, Law, and Consumer Rights

Supermarket shelves are full of products that, in the war of promotions for the best price, become very interesting options for consumers. But do we really know what we are buying to feed ourselves?

A Vital Ally for Your Health

Food labeling is much more than a list of ingredients; it is vital information to protect our health and well-being. Reading labels is important to know the nutritional composition of what we eat, including the amount of calories, fats (saturated and trans), sodium, and sugars.

Furthermore, labeling is a critical safety measure. The law requires products to clearly specify the presence of common allergens such as gluten, lactose, nuts, and soy. Ignoring this information can have serious or even fatal consequences for people with allergies.

The Legal Basis: A Guarantee of Protection

Labeling is not optional; it is a legal obligation. In Panama, the Technical Regulation DGNTI-COPANIT 46-444-2016and the Panamanian Food Safety Authority (AUPSA) are responsible for supervising compliance with these standards. The regulation requires producers to include truthful and clear information on the list of ingredients, nutritional value, net content, expiration date, and allergens.

However, sometimes the lack of clarity on labels can be an obstacle. For this reason, the country is promoting the Frontal Warning Nutritional Labeling Law (EFAN). This initiative, backed by scientific evidence and endorsed by the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), seeks to quickly and visibly warn if a product is “HIGH IN” sugars, fats, or sodium.

The need for this law is urgent, since according to recent figures, 71.6% of adults in Panama are over overweight or obese, and an alarming 11.4% of children under 5 years of age already suffer from it.

A Call to Action

Creating a healthier and safer food culture not only benefits us individually but also helps our health system by reducing the saturation of  medical services.

Reading labels is an act of self-care; it is a way to take control of our health and not be deceived. The next time you go shopping, take a moment to read the label and choose consciously.

And if you feel that a product does not meet the information standards or that there is a deception, you can report it to APA, contributing to the safety of everyone.

Gladys Bandiera Pittí Abogada/Lawyer