Análise da adequação dos rótulos de biscoitos quanto à legislação brasileira de rotulagem para alimentos alergênicos

Abstract

Cookies are foods that are largely consumed by the Brazilian population, especially by adolescents. Keeping in mind that in its composition there are ingredients capable of causing allergic reactions in some individuals, it is necessary that the consumer be aware of the presence of such foods used in the manufacture of these products. The prevalence of food allergies is increasing in Brazil and in the world, and since food restriction is the most effective practice to avoid the symptoms in allergic persons, it is necessary that the labels of industrialized products contain signs related to their composition. For this reason, the “RDC 26/2015” was created, which provides for the mandatory labeling requirements of the main foods that cause food allergies. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the adequacy of biscuit labels in relation to the mentioned law, as well as to the laws that address the labeling of gluten - because it is an allergenic protein - and 4 lactose - carbohydrate capable of aggravating diarrhea, a common symptom in food allergies. The samples were divided into three groups: national, imported and regional and, after analysis, it was seen that 43% of the labels contained at least one mismatch, with more frequent divergence of information between the list of ingredients and the foods mentioned in the " ALLERGIC: CONTAINS ... "and inadequacies related to lactose warning. It was concluded that even after a long period in force, national labeling laws continue to be uncorrected and measures are needed to make label inspection more efficient in Brazil.