New Chilean food labelling rules concern the Brazil

The Brazil today expressed "deep concern" at the World Trade Organization (WTO) with the new labelling requirements for food products imposed by Chile because of the impact that these rules may have on the agribusiness sector.
Known as "Super 8", the regulation requires labelling of packaged foods with high levels of sugar, sodium, fat and other components considered unhealthy, as a campaign against the bad food triggered by the Government.
During the examination of the Chilean trade policy at the WTO, the Brazilian Marcos Galvao Ambassador noted that Brazil shares the Chilean commitment for public health protection, but noted that the new demands appear more trade restrictive than necessary to fulfill the goal of helping people to make good nutritional choices when they buy food.
Last week, the Ministry of health of Chile has decided to remove the text of the so-called Supreme Decree No. 977/96 of the Comptroller-General. For the Brazilian representative at the WTO, this shows that Chilean authorities were sensitive     concerns expressed abroad and in the country. "We hope that the process of review of the proposed regulation is carried out with a view to minimizing undue restrictions, while contributing to better nutritional standards," he said.
The examination of commercial policy in the WTO, Chilean covers the period 2009-2014, when Chile grew 3.6% per year, on average.
In the bilateral area, trade and investment flows have suffered some concussions, attributed to effects of the international crisis. But bilateral trade has resumed growth in the last three years. About of 70 companies operating in Chile in different sectors. The Brazil is the main destination of Chile's investments abroad. According to the Brazilian delegation, this partnership would have created more than 100 000 jobs in Brazil.
The Chile (which is an associate member to MERCOSUR) and Brazil benefit from zero-fare for most of their products in their respective markets. The Brazilian products represent 8.7% of imports slippers. The Brazil is the fifth largest supplier to the Chilean market, behind China, USA, Japan and South Korea.