Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
07/04/2016
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
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Another proposed measure is the ban on trans fat use in food composition
Luis Macedo / House of Representatives
Lactose free
MEPs approved design enhances information available to the consumer
The House of Representatives Plenary approved on Wednesday (30) Bill 8194/14, the Senate, which requires manufacturers to report on food labels, the presence of lactose and casein (a protein found in milk). The matter returns to the Senate because of changes approved by MEPs.
Approved a substitute Consumer Protection Committee, prepared by Deputy Alberto Fraga (DEM-DF), which added to the original text the need for information about casein, which is an allergenic element.
Foods with the original lactose content or altered casein should also contain the label information on the remaining amount, according to regulation.
Mr Hiran Gonçalves (PP-RR), author of one of the proposals that contributed to the final text, said that, as there is already legislation to products containing gluten, should be a warning to casein and lactose, because many drugs using lactose as diluent.
"Sometimes, people are eating some kind of drink or drugs or processed foods containing the substance and not know it," he said.
Mr Saguas Moraes (PT-MT), who is a pediatrician, said that intolerance to lactose and casein has developed even in children and that the information on the label is important.
Speaking for the government, Deputy Orlando Silva (PCdoB-SP) supported the proposal, while stressing that the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) already has rules for this. "But it will give more legal certainty for information," he said.
Trans fat
The approved substitute prohibits the use of hydrogenated vegetable fat, also known as trans fat, the composition of foods for human consumption, produced and / or marketed in Brazil, even if imported.
This prohibition does not reach animal foods that contain trans fat, as long as they have not been added artificially.
Companies involved in the production, marketing and import will have to adapt to the new rules until January 1, 2019. The law will enter into force 180 days after its publication.
Mr Joaquim Finch (PSD-PA) recalled that the hydrogenated trans fat is already banned in many countries. Already Mr Marcondes Gadelha (PSC-PB) said that the prohibition of hydrogenated vegetable fats is an "unnecessary radicalization." "It is harmful to the entire production chain, from the industrial sector to the agricultural sector, with no scientific basis," he said.
detriments
Trans fats are produced from vegetable oils industry which adds hydrogen molecules to change their properties, causing fats to remain solid at room temperature to last longer product shelf.
Mainly present in margarine, ice cream, chocolates, cookies, biscuits, snacks and processed conventional stuffed dumplings, trans fat has been convicted since 1960 for studies that indicated damage to health. However, only in recent decades the industry has sought alternatives to it.
Among the harmful effects associated with trans fat include increasing the "bad" cholesterol (LDL) in the blood, the decrease in the "good" cholesterol (HDL), the increase of blood triglyceride and increase of localized fat.
FULL PROPOSAL:
PL-8194/2014
Source: Agency Board
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.