In its Sunday column, the Chamber emphasized that any labeling policy must be accompanied by consumer education, considering that true change lies in people understanding what they consume and being able to make conscious decisions about their diet.
The Chamber of Commerce, Industries, and Agriculture of Panama proposed the implementation of an electronic labeling system as an alternative to front-of-pack warning labels on food products.
The guild pointed out that there is no international consensus on a single front-of-pack labeling model, highlighting that in Europe, the United States, and Latin America, countries have adopted different schemes or are in the process of adjustment.
According to the Chamber, front-of-pack labeling simplifies information through visible warnings, which can be limiting for the consumer.
Additionally, it warned that its implementation could lead to increases in production costs due to changes in packaging and processes, which would eventually be passed on to the final price of the products.
The organization also cautioned that stricter regulations could reduce the variety of products available in the Panamanian market, as some brands might choose not to market their products in the country due to higher operational costs.
As an alternative, it proposed electronic labeling, a system that allows for expanding the information available to consumers without the need to modify packaging, thus avoiding additional costs.
According to the guild, this model does not replace information but rather complements it and facilitates more informed decisions.
