Brazil's Senate approved on Wednesday (April 15) a bill setting minimum cocoa percentages in chocolates and requiring label disclosure. Previously passed by the Chamber of Deputies on March 17, it now awaits President Lula's sanction. The text outlines standards for various chocolate types and mandatory labeling.
Brazil's Senate approved on April 15, 2026, a bill substitute requiring minimum cocoa percentages in national and imported chocolates, with mandatory label information.
The text specifies standards: powdered chocolate with 32% cocoa; milk chocolate with 25% cocoa and at least 14% milk or derivatives; white chocolate with 20% cocoa butter and 14% milk; achocolatados and fantasy chocolates with 15% cocoa or cocoa butter; and sweet chocolate with 25% cocoa, including 18% cocoa butter and 12% non-fat solids. Products with at least 35% total cocoa solids will be classified simply as "chocolate," without qualifiers like bitter or semi-bitter, and with no more than 5% vegetable fats.
Relator Senator Angelo Coronel (Republicanos-BA) added adjustments rejecting greater regulatory intervention and easing labeling rules, to be detailed by the Executive. Labeling must state "Contains X% cocoa" on the front, occupying at least 15% of the area in legible letters.
Non-chocolate products cannot use misleading images or terms. Violations subject companies to Consumer Defense Code sanctions and other penalties. Industry groups like Abia, Abicab, and Aipc criticized the new labeling requirement after recent nutritional table adaptations.
If sanctioned, the law takes effect in one year, keeping current Anvisa rules meanwhile.
