What Happened
Panama’s Healthy Eating Movement, together with several civil society organizations, has rejected a proposal to replace front-of-pack warning labels on food products with QR codes. The groups argue that shifting from printed warnings to digital codes would weaken consumers’ right to receive clear, visible information.
The criticism comes just weeks before World Obesity Day and focuses on ultra-processed foods, which the organizations say are a major contributor to a public health crisis in Panama.
Why the Groups Oppose the Change
According to the organizations, warning labels that show excess sugar, salt and fat are easy to see and understand at the point of purchase. QR codes, they argue, would make nutrition information less immediate and less accessible, especially for shoppers who may not scan digital codes in stores.
The groups said this matters because ultra-processed products are linked to rising health costs in the country, which they estimate exceed $1 billion annually in medical spending.
Health and Consumer Concerns
The statement also comes ahead of World Consumer Day on March 15, which this year carries the theme “safe products, confident consumers.” The organizations said food-risk information must be clear, truthful and easy to understand, in line with Panama’s consumer protection law, Law 45 of 2007.
They pointed to figures from the 2019 Health Census showing the scale of the problem: three out of four adults in Panama, or 75%, and two out of five children and young people, or 40%, are living with overweight or obesity. They also estimated that more than half of the calories consumed in the country come from ultra-processed products.
Calls for Stronger Enforcement
The movement also raised alarms about distributors continuing to sell products banned in school kiosks and cafeterias, which it says may violate Law 75 of 2017 and Decree 049 of 2018. It called on the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and the consumer protection authority ACODECO to strengthen inspections and apply sanctions where rules are broken.
Beyond labeling, the organizations said Panama should also regulate advertising of junk food aimed at minors and increase taxes on sugary drinks and ultra-processed products. They urged parents to take a more active role in children’s diets by preparing healthier lunches.
Looking Ahead
The groups cited an international case in San Francisco, California, involving a lawsuit against ten ultra-processed food manufacturers, as an example of growing scrutiny over these products. They said Panamanian authorities should investigate the harm these foods may be causing locally and should not allow industry messaging to override public health concerns.
For now, the debate centers on whether digital access to nutrition information is enough, or whether Panama should keep requiring front-of-package warnings that are visible at a glance.