OBJECTIVE: To analyze the Brazilian/Mercosul and the British/European Union food labeling legislation. METHODS: The analysis was carried out using a set of 19 questions considered important to describe and compare the different sets of legislation. RESULTS: The results showed that all sets of legislation were very similar. Regarding health claims, the legislation differentiates content from effect claims. However, it is shown to be difficult to do so because both of them express the same message, that a product is good for the health. Concerning nutrition label, the problem is that in all sets of legislation it is only compulsory when a health claim is made. Another problem is that the nutritional description is required to be by weight, while international nutritional recommendations are made as percentage of energy. CONCLUSIONS: Health claims should not be allowed, they are potentially misleading and do not convey more information than nutrition label. Nutrition label should be compulsory, and the macronutrients presented as percentage of energy together with the international nutritional recommendations.
Food labelling; Legislation,food; Nutritional requirements; Nutrition policy; Health promotion
