Brazil food labeling (RDC 429 and IN 75): nutrition table, "ALTO EM" magnifier

What changed with RDC 429 and IN 75

Anvisa's RDC 429/2020 and IN 75/2020 replaced Brazil's earlier nutrition labeling rules and took effect on 9 October 2022. They changed the nutrition table, made added sugars a declared nutrient, and introduced front-of-pack nutrition labeling in the form of a magnifying glass.

The general labeling rules for packaged food are consolidated in RDC 727/2022, under which mandatory information is in Portuguese, with text in other languages allowed. Imported food sold in Brazil meets the same rules, so the Portuguese label is usually agreed with the Brazilian importer before shipping.

Brazil food label checklist for exporters

• Mandatory information in Portuguese
• Nutrition table with total and added sugars
• Front-of-pack "ALTO EM" magnifier where a limit is reached
• Limits checked per 100 g for solids or per 100 ml for liquids
• Values for the food as sold, or ready-to-eat when prepared with other ingredients
• Label agreed with the Brazilian importer

The "ALTO EM" magnifying glass

Front-of-pack labeling is mandatory when added sugars, saturated fat or sodium are equal to or above the limits in Annex XV of IN 75/2020: for solid or semi-solid food, 15 g of added sugars, 6 g of saturated fat or 600 mg of sodium per 100 g; for liquids, 7.5 g of added sugars, 3 g of saturated fat or 300 mg of sodium per 100 ml. The magnifier states "ALTO EM" with the nutrients concerned, such as "ALTO EM AÇÚCAR ADICIONADO", in black on a white background in the upper half of the principal panel.

The limits apply to the food as it is sold; for food that is prepared with other ingredients, they apply to the ready-to-eat product. Foods listed in Annex XVI of IN 75/2020, such as fruits, vegetables and flours, carry it only for a nutrient raised by added ingredients. Products already on sale before the rules took effect had until 9 October 2023 to adapt, with later dates for some small producers and for non-alcoholic beverages in returnable packaging; these periods have ended.