[Comparative analysis of Brazil, Mercosul, Great Britain and European Union of food labeling legislation].
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.
Celeste
R K
RK
Universidade Luterana do Brasil, Campus Cachoeira do Sul, Cachoeira do Sul, RS, Brasil. rk_celeste@hotmail.com
D001938:Brazil; D003132:Commerce; D005062:European Union; D005515:Food Labeling / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence*; D007881:Legislation, Food; D013020:South America; D006113:United Kingdom