[Academic production on food labeling in Brazil].
OBJECTIVE
To review and discuss academic production (theses and dissertations) on the topic of labeling of prepackaged foods in Brazil.


METHODS
A search of the database maintained by the Coordination for the Development of Higher Education Professionals (CAPES), one of the two Brazilian government research funding and support agencies, was conducted on the following keywords: "rotulagem" (labeling), "rotulagem nutricional" (food labeling) and "rótulo de alimentos" (food labels). The search covered the years 1987 (earliest year available) to 2004.


RESULTS
We identified 49 studies on this topic. Content analysis identified three major themes: the extent to which food labels meet specific legal requirements (57.2%); the degree to which consumers understand the information on labels (22.4%); and the labeling of transgenic or genetically-modified foods (20.4%).


CONCLUSIONS
Food labeling is a frequent topic and is adequately covered by the Brazilian academic production. In most of the studies, ineffective law enforcement appears to be the main factor in the lack of compliance with and disrespect for the food labeling rules and regulations in Brazil.
Câmara
Maria Clara Coelho
MC
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz), Centro de Estudos da Saúde do Trabalhador e Ecologia Humana (CESTEH), Brazil. maria.clara@ensp.fiocruz.br
Marinho
Carmem Luisa Cabral
CL
Guilam
Maria Cristina
MC
Braga
Ana Maria Cheble Bahia
AM
D004212:Academic Dissertations as Topic; D001938:Brazil; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D019992:Databases as Topic; D005515:Food Labeling; D006801:Humans