The Emergence and Diffusion of Nutrition Warning Labels in Latin America

Abstract: Over the past decade, several Latin American countries, led by Chile, have adopted mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labeling (FOPNL) regulations. These regulations aim to reduce the consumption of ultra-processed foods, often high in salt, sugar,and fat, and ultimately the prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This paper examines how, despite strong resistance from transnational corporations,the Chilean model of nutrition warning labels emerged, then regionally prevailed over the (European) alternative “traffic light” system, and has since been adopted across much of Latin America. The analysis is based on field research in Chile, Ecuador, Peru and Uruguay as well as interviews with experts from across the region. The article shows that the initial introduction of mandatory nutrition labeling depended on the political support of left-wing governments as well as transnational policy entrepreneurs.The spread of the Chilean model of nutrition warning labels, in turn, was driven by the active dissemination efforts of both Chilean politicians as well as international organizations(e.g., PAHO) and private actors (e.g., Bloomberg Philanthropies). The paper thus contributes to discussions about the political conditions for large-scalepolicy change in the field of public health regulation