The Government of Neuquén regulated the law that establishes the prohibition of displaying ultra-processed foods in the checkout lines of supermarkets, pharmacies and self-service stores, with the aim of reducing the incidence of overweight, obesity and other diseases.
Provincial law 3224, which seeks to promote people’s health, establishes interventions that stimulate better eating habits, particularly promoting the reduction of excessive caloric consumption and the intake of sweets in general, as explained by the Neuquén government in a statement.
Likewise, it pointed out that the regulation of the norm prohibits supermarkets, hypermarkets, pharmacies and other self-service businesses from displaying and offering ultra-processed foods, in rows and lines of cash registers, in proximity to them, and in entrances and exits. .
Through Decree 254/2022, signed by Governor Omar Gutiérrez, the Provincial Directorate of Consumer Protection, dependent on the Ministry of Security, was established as the enforcement authority.
The provincial body will be in charge of regulating the minimum distance of 3 meters, duly marked, between the spaces or gondolas for displaying ultra-processed foods, and the lines and rows of cash registers and access and exit areas of commercial premises.
In addition, through the General Directorate of Inspection and Supervision, Consumer Protection will carry out inspections in the localities of the province, being able to enter into agreements with the municipalities to determine the evaluation and degree of compliance with the law in businesses.
The rule provides that the enforcement authority must update the list of ultra-processed foods, whenever the criteria established in the “Nutrient Profile Model of the Pan American Health Organization” are modified. Said list and its updates will be published on the body’s website, making it accessible to all citizens.
It should be noted that, in its article 6, the provincial law establishes that businesses whose main activity is the sale of sweets or food of similar characteristics are exempted.
Law 3224 has its correlate in relation to the National Consumer Defense Law 24,240 and in Law 2268 that sanctioned the province of Neuquén, of adherence to that national norm.
