Colombia's National Association of Entrepreneurs (Andi), via its Food Industry Chamber, voiced concerns over a Ministry of Health resolution draft to overhaul frontal and nutritional food labeling. The business group warns the proposal would create legal and technical instability, plus economic burdens for 51,200 sector companies.
Andi, led by Bruce Mac Master, raised alarms over the draft that would repeal Resolution 810 of 2021 to enact a new regulatory framework. The group states it would impose technical and economic burdens on the food sector, comprising 51,200 companies, 98.5% of which are micro and small enterprises.
Key criticisms include the absence of dialogue spaces, as the Ministry of Health has not responded to requests for working groups to assess impacts and scientific evidence. The project would necessitate redesigning all packaged food labels and procedures with the National Institute of Drug and Food Surveillance (Invima), potentially hindering trade.
"This new technical regulation is not properly justified and lacks the scientific evidence needed to support such a profound change. It is essential for the Government to listen to those who produce food in Colombia, as the real impact on businesses has not been measured," stated Camilo Montes, executive director of Andi's Food Industry Chamber.
Proposed changes feature a “ultraprocessed” definition absent from international rules, specific warnings for additives, micro-labels for small packages, and a six-month transition deemed too short. The group noted the current model, refined by recent resolutions, and urged stakeholders to submit comments to the Ministry by May 6.