Argentina recently passed legislation (Law 27642) aimed at promoting healthy eating habits, including by requiring Pan American Health Organisation‑recommended octagonal (stop sign) black‑and‑white health warnings for sugars, calories, total fats, saturated fats and sodium in food and non‑alcoholic beverage products, as well as additional health warnings similar to those in place in Mexico for caffeine and low and no‑calorie sweeteners. The legislation requires that implementing regulations be issued no later than 12 February 2022 and that its front‑of‑package labelling requirements be implemented no later than 180 days from its effective date, with certain exceptions.

Argentina is the latest Latin American country to adopt front‑of‑package health warnings for nutrients of concern, joining such countries as Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Uruguay. Specifically, the law requires the adoption of front‑of‑package octagonal warnings for excess sugars, sodium, saturated fats, total fats and calories. In the case of low and no‑calorie sweeteners, covered products will be required to include a warning in Spanish stating “contains sweeteners, not recommended for children”. In the case of caffeine, covered products will require a warning in Spanish stating “contains caffeine, not advisable for children”. Additionally, the legislation requires sugars, saturated fats, total fats and sodium to comply with maximum Pan American Health Organisation nutrient profile model limits.