The debate over nutritional labeling on food products is once again gaining momentum in Panama, with divided positions among civil society organizations, health authorities, and the business sector. While some defend front-of-pack warning labels as a clear and accessible tool to inform consumers about the risks of certain products, others suggest that electronic labeling could offer more information without increasing food prices. Amidst this discussion, taking place in the National Assembly, bills 445 and 402 are being analyzed. They seek to establish a mandatory nutritional information system to facilitate healthier consumption decisions. For civil society organizations, front-of-pack labeling remains the most effective option. Bethy Cruzado, director of the Healthy Eating Movement foundation, warned that a system based on apps or digital codes could exclude part of the population. "Not everyone has a cell phone, and even if they do, there isn't always connectivity," she stated, mentioning that even in urban areas there are zones with signal problems. According to her, information about food must be accessible to all consumers, including rural and indigenous communities, which is why she considers front-of-pack labeling easier to understand and allows for quick identification of whether a product is suitable for consumption. Cruzado also affirmed that studies conducted in the country show that front-of-pack labeling allows consumers to quickly and easily identify the characteristics of a product. Meanwhile, bill 402, which proposes mandatory nutritional labeling on all foods nationwide, was introduced by deputy Jairo Salazar. From the health sector, Panama's Health Minister, Fernando Boyd Galindo, has emphasized the importance of consumers clearly understanding what they are consuming. Recently, the minister indicated that even for educated people, it can be difficult to interpret nutritional information in small print, so he considers it fundamental for the population to have clearer tools to know the content of the products they buy. In contrast, the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama (Cciap) has proposed electronic labeling as an alternative to the front-of-pack warning system. The business sector argues that there is no international consensus on a single labeling model and warns that implementing front-of-pack seals could increase product prices and reduce the variety available in the market. According to Cciap, digital labeling would allow for expanded nutritional information without generating additional costs on packaging or passing expenses on to the consumer. The Chamber of Commerce comments: "We propose electronic labeling. Bill 445, which establishes front-of-pack nutritional warning labels to promote healthier consumption decisions, was presented by deputy Miguel Campos. Electronic labeling does not eliminate information: it expands it, it does not replace, it complements and does not impose, it allows for decision-making." The debate continues as bills 445 and 402 remain in a subcommittee of the Assembly's Committee on Labor, Health, and Social Development, where they still need to advance. She detailed that even children who cannot yet read managed to determine if a food was suitable for their consumption, which, in her opinion, demonstrates that this system is easier for the general population to understand. In a similar vein, businessman and former commissioner of the defunct Free Competition and Consumer Affairs Commission, Rafael Carles, stated that information directed at the consumer must be clear, truthful, and visible on the product label. He recalled that current legislation requires that warnings on foods appear directly on the packaging and in the Spanish language. In his view, insisting on electronic labeling "does not align" with these requirements or with the health registration procedures established by the National Directorate of Food Control and Veterinary Surveillance. Bills 445 and 402, related to front-of-pack food labeling, remain in a subcommittee of the Assembly's Committee on Labor, Health, and Social Development. Not as an easy way out, but as a more complete solution.
