Chilean Supreme Court overturns food warning decree

The Supreme Court has overturned a Ministry of Health decree that required food products with high levels of sugar, sodium, fats, or calories to include the warning phrase “avoid its consumption” in advertising. The court ruled that the mandate exceeded the authority granted by current regulations and lacked sufficient legal justification for replacing moderate consumption recommendations with categorical prohibitions.

The ruling has reignited debates regarding obesity prevention and public health communication. While nutritionists note that the decision may help consumers understand that no single food is inherently harmful and that balance is key, experts warn that the absence of explicit preventive messages could negatively impact individuals with limited nutritional education.

Legal perspectives highlight that the decision underscores the distinction between informing consumers and imposing prohibitions. The court found that the health authority failed to adequately explain why it abandoned previous recommendations or why alternative options from public consultations were discarded, emphasizing that administrative acts must be transparent and well-motivated.