Restrictions on ultra-processed foods: challenge for compliance with World Trade Organization commitments

Abstract The health problems, due to obesity and overweight (NCD), which cross the countries worldwide faces the challenge of applying different measures and restrictions, and at the same time raises the question whether these measures and restrictions are compatible with WTO and other commitments. Nowadays trade restrictions should not be justified based only on the industry process but rather in the ingredients and quality of those food contents, when the critical nutrients ingredients exceed a healthy threshold. The justification for the restrictive measures of the SPS agreement has been applied both in food labelling formats and in other formats, to address NDCs and whether similar restrictions can be applied to ultra-processed foods, such as those that have been applied in the past to the tobacco consumption, without breaking commitments.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Romaní,Nicolas Cobo, Carvalho,Fábio Lins de Lessa
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Direito da Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina 2021
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2177-70552021000100209
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract The health problems, due to obesity and overweight (NCD), which cross the countries worldwide faces the challenge of applying different measures and restrictions, and at the same time raises the question whether these measures and restrictions are compatible with WTO and other commitments. Nowadays trade restrictions should not be justified based only on the industry process but rather in the ingredients and quality of those food contents, when the critical nutrients ingredients exceed a healthy threshold. The justification for the restrictive measures of the SPS agreement has been applied both in food labelling formats and in other formats, to address NDCs and whether similar restrictions can be applied to ultra-processed foods, such as those that have been applied in the past to the tobacco consumption, without breaking commitments.