Anvisa will consult population about labelling of foods with and without lactose

The classification of foods for lactose-restricted diets and the requirements for the mandatory declaration of dairy products labels will be subjects of two new public consultations (CPs).

The CPs were approved by the Collegiate Board (Dicol) of the national health surveillance agency (Anvisa) during public meeting held last Tuesday (20). By the end of this week, the CPs will be published in the Official Gazette (GIVE).

The first CP refers to the amendment of Ordinance SVS/MS No. 29, of 13 January 1998, which provides for the technical regulation on food for special purposes, to include articles with food ratings for lactose-restricted diets. In the proposal, are defined composition and labelling requirements for foods exempt and with low lactose content.

Foods classified as "lactose-free" are those in which the amount of lactose has been reduced to a value equal to or less than the 10 milligrams per 100 g or ml of food ready for consumption in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturer. These products should bring the statement "lactose-free", "zero lactose", "0% lactose", "lactose-free" or "contains no lactose", next to the sales designation of food.

Already classified as "low lactose content" are those who have had this sugar content reduced to an amount equal to or less than one gram per 100 grams or milliliters of food ready for consumption. Must bring the statement "low lactose content" or "low lactose", next to the sales designation of food.

Lactose in labelling

In the second public consultation, the discussion will be about the mandatory declaration of lactose in food labels, including drinks, ingredients, food additives and the supporting cast of technology.

Also will be analyzed the cases of packaged foods in the absence of consumers, including those intended exclusively for industrial processing and those intended for food service.

The labels of foods that have more than 10 milligrams per 100 g or ml of food ready for consumption should bring the Declaration "contains lactose" immediately following or below the list of ingredients with readable characters and must also fulfill some requirements proposed in the amendment of the standard under discussion.