The Government of Guatemala asks Congress to resume the healthy labeling law after its removal from the agenda following a warning from the U.S. embassy.

The Secretariat of Food and Nutritional Security of the Presidency of the Republic of Guatemala (Sesan) asked Congress to resume and approve Initiative 5504, the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating, three days after the bill was removed from the legislative agenda due to objections from the United States Embassy regarding its possible commercial costs. The agency argued that excessive consumption of sugar, sodium, and saturated fats is associated with non-communicable chronic diseases, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular and metabolic conditions. These conditions rank among the leading causes of premature death and disability in Guatemala, Central America, and the Dominican Republic. Type 2 diabetes generates costs exceeding USD 1 billion in direct and indirect care, a burden that falls mostly on Guatemalan families, according to Sesan. The secretariat defined the health of the population as "a non-negotiable supreme good." The initiative proposes Frontal Nutritional Warning Labeling, a system of octagonal seals that allows consumers to quickly recognize whether a product contains excessive amounts of nutrients considered to be of concern. The model is based on the Pan American Health Organization's Nutrient Profile. Sesan noted that this mechanism has already been implemented in Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, and Uruguay. In those countries, it added, it reduced the purchase of products with warnings and the intake of calories, sugars, fats, and sodium. The secretariat stated that the available scientific evidence places this system above alternatives such as the Daily Food Guides or "La Lupa," the scheme used in Brazil. Its argument is that the warnings can be understood even by people with low levels of education. The studies cited by the agency also found no significant negative effects on employment, wages, or profit margins of companies where the regulation is already in force. That point responds to the commercial concerns raised during the Guatemalan legislative debate. Congress removed the proposal from the October 13 agenda, when it was due to receive its third reading in the full chamber. The measure was taken after the United States Embassy warned that a regulation exclusive to Guatemala could raise prices for companies and consumers, as reported by Infobae. The diplomatic mission publicly maintained that a national rule would impose "unnecessary costs on American and Guatemalan companies." As an alternative, it proposed a Central American regional model that avoids technical obstacles to trade. Representative Elmer Palencia, leader of the Valor caucus, requested removing the bill from the agenda to allow for further analysis. The motion received the support of Jairo Flores, leader of the Voluntad, Oportunidad y Solidaridad caucus, one of the promoters of the law, according to the outlet. The initiative was introduced on October 3, 2018, and includes measures on trans fats and restrictions on food advertising aimed at minors. In 2024 it reached its second reading, although its progress was conditioned by the debate over the Central American Technical Regulation for frontal labeling. That regional regulation remains under analysis by the Council of Ministers of Economic Integration. Sesan acknowledged the need for Central American countries to move toward common standards, but asked that technical decisions align with international recommendations and include mechanisms to prevent and manage conflicts of interest. The agency noted that Congress has held the initiative for eight years and defended the octagonal seals as "one of the main tools" of a comprehensive strategy against non-communicable diseases. It also maintained that the proposal "regulates matters related to health and not matters related to commerce and the economy." Initiative 5504 remains without a set date to return to the legislative floor. Before resuming its discussion, lawmakers will have to take a position on the regional regulation, the costs of business compliance, and the final design of the warnings for prepackaged foods.