Brazil has launched a public consultation on updated requirements for food labeling, including quantitative ingredient declarations and irradiated food labeling, as part of a broader regulatory review of food technology standards.
Brazil Seeks Feedback on New Food Labeling Rules
A public consultation is open on rules for ingredient amounts, digital labels, and irradiated foods.
What’s being proposed
Quantitative ingredient declaration required on all food product labels to improve transparency.
Digital transmission of label information mandated to ensure accurate and accessible data.
Specific labeling for irradiated foods established to ensure consumer clarity and safety.
Who it affects
Food manufacturers and producers must declare the quantity of each ingredient on the label.
Food importers must ensure all products comply with the new labeling and technology requirements.
How to participate
Review the proposed amendment to RDC No. 727 of 2022.
Submit comments through the official online portal or by physical mail.
Contributions will be made publicly accessible after the review period.
Key dates
Compliance Analysis: Updated Food Labeling Requirements in Brazil
Brazil’s Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (ANVISA) has proposed updates to food labeling regulations through Public Consultation No. 1,400/2026, amending RDC No. 727/2022. The proposed changes introduce mandatory Quantitative Ingredient Declaration (DQI) and revised irradiated food labeling requirements, alongside provisions for digital information transmission. Below is a structured breakdown of the key compliance obligations.
1. Quantitative Ingredient Declaration (DQI)
Applicability
DQI is mandatory when:
- An ingredient is highlighted on the label via words, images, or graphics1.
- Required by a specific regulation1.
Exemptions:
- Single-ingredient foods1.
- Spices, herbs, or condiments used in small quantities for sensory purposes1.
Requirements
| Aspect | Requirement | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Calculation Basis | Based on the minimum added quantity (mass/volume) at manufacturing. For low-ingredient highlights, use the maximum added quantity1. Post-processing moisture loss must be accounted for1. | 1 |
| Format | Expressed as a percentage:
- ≥10%: whole numbers (e.g., "20%").
- <10%: one decimal place (e.g., "9.5%")1.
Rounding rules apply (e.g., 9.45% → 9.5%; 9.44% → 9.4%)1. |1 |
| Placement | Adjacent to the highlighted ingredient (e.g., images/words) and accompanied by the ingredient’s name1. May also appear in the ingredient list (parenthetical)1. | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Excess Quantities | If >100%, replace the percentage with a statement of the quantity used to prepare 100g of the final product1. | 1 |
| Industrial/FS Use | For foods exclusively for industrial processing or food services, DQI may be provided in accompanying documents or alternative means1. | 1 |
2. Irradiated Food Labeling
Applicability
- Applies to all foods treated by irradiation, including:
Requirements
| Aspect | Requirement | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| Mandatory Declaration | Primary Panel: Must state "ALIMENTO TRATADO POR PROCESSO DE IRRADIAÇÃO" in characters ≥1/3 the size of the largest label text (minimum 6 points)1. | 1 |
| Placement | Near the product name on the principal display panel1. | 1 |
| Symbol | May include the international irradiation symbol (Radura) if displayed on the principal panel1. | |
| Ingredient List | If an irradiated ingredient is used in a multi-ingredient food, declare it in the ingredient list with "(irradiado)" in parentheses1. | 1 |
3. Digital Information Transmission
Requirements
- Digital information (e.g., via QR codes, apps) must:
- Clarity: Must be legible, audible (if applicable), and unambiguously linked to the product1.
4. Compliance Deadlines
| Product Category | Deadline | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| General foods | 36 months from the resolution’s effective date1. | 1 |
| Industrial/food service use only | 12 months1. | 1 |
| Small-scale producers (e.g., family farmers, MEIs, artisanal producers) | 48 months1. | 1 |
| Non-alcoholic beverages in returnable packaging | 60 months (gradual label replacement)1. | 1 |
| Stock in trade | Products manufactured before the deadline may be sold until their expiry date1. | 1 |
5. Public Consultation Process
- Duration: 90 days from 7 days after publication in the Diário Oficial da União1.
- Submission: Comments must be submitted via:
- Transparency: All contributions (excluding personal data) will be publicly accessible post-consultation1.
Summary Answer
Brazil’s proposed updates to RDC No. 727/2022 introduce mandatory Quantitative Ingredient Declarations (DQI) for highlighted ingredients, with specific formatting (e.g., percentages ≥10% as whole numbers) and placement rules1. Irradiated foods must display a prominent declaration on the principal panel and in ingredient lists1. Digital labeling is permitted but cannot replace mandatory physical disclosures1. Compliance deadlines range from 12 months (industrial foods) to 48 months (small-scale producers), with stock-in-trade exemptions until expiry1. The 90-day public consultation (CP No. 1,400/2026) invites stakeholder feedback via ANVISA’s portal or mail1. All provisions are grounded in the proposed amendments to RDC No. 727/20221.
Sources
- ↩ anexosportal.datalegis.net — arquivos / 1931496 https://anexosportal.datalegis.net/arquivos/1931496.pdf