Congress approved that imported products carry octagons on stickers

The Permanent Commission of Congress approved — in the first vote — bill 3933 to exempt imported food and non-alcoholic beverages and produced by local mypes from the use of indelible octagons on their wrappers. Now they will only be able to use “stickers that are difficult to remove”.

According to Elías Varas, president of the Consumer Defense Commission (Perú Bicentenario), it is unreasonable for the Executive Branch to prohibit the use of adhesives on imported products, since the Specialized Chamber in Defense of Competition (SDC) of Indecopi considers it a non-tariff trade barrier.

“We cannot attack importers, but we do place the law of octagons that is difficult to remove so that any distributor cannot remove it and surprise the market. It is important to guarantee the health of children and adolescents. That they have stickers but that are difficult to remove” Varas said.

And, in defense of Peruvian micro-enterprises, he assured that by allowing them to modify the Healthy Eating Law so that they can only use stickers on their packaging, they are given the green light to market with less expensive octagons.

According to the text, the rest of foods and non-alcoholic beverages with trans fats and a high content of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats must clearly, legibly, prominently, and understandably display the indelible octagons, which cannot be fully or completely covered. partial by no other element.

Congress in favor of business interests

In dialogue with La República, the former head of Minsa, Victor Zamora, pointed out that the industry through “lobbying and conviction” seeks to make the use of adhesives permanent.

It is worth noting that from this Saturday, July 1, all processed foods must have octagons printed on their packaging; However, the text of last night the Minsa has 90 calendar days from the approval of the law