VII. GENERAL LABELLING REQUIREMENTS
For the general labelling of foods, including supplements, the Decree 117/2006 applies. This Decree implements the regional MERCOSUR food labelling regulations.
The MERCOSUR regulations are:
- MERCOSUR Resolution 26/03 on the labelling of prepacked foods;
- MERCOSUR Resolution 44/03 for the nutritional labelling of prepacked foods;
- MERCOSUR Resolution 46/03 on the nutritional labelling of prepacked foods;
- MERCOSUR Resolution 47/03 on the servings of prepacked foods.
Additionally, Uruguay has implemented through the “Decree (Decreto) 272/018” a front-of-pack warning system for foods and beverages high in total fat, saturated fat, sugar and sodium. Supplements for sports people and dietary supplements are excluded from this labelling scheme.
VIII. SPECIFIC LABELLING FOR SUPPLEMENTS FOR SPORTS PEOPLE
The Decree (Decreto) 330/014 requires that these products are generically named as “supplements for sports people (suplementos para deportistas)”, complementing the name according to their corresponding category:
- Hydro-electrolytic supplements (suplementos hidroelectrolíticos)
- Energy supplements (suplementos calóricos)
- Protein supplements (suplementos protéicos)
When the product is added with vitamins and/or minerals, the product name must be “supplements for sports people (suplementos para deportistas)”, followed by the corresponding category, and adding the list of vitamins and/or minerals, as appropriate.
The labelling and advertising of the products should not include images and/or expressions that:
- Mislead the consumer regarding properties and/or effects that they do not have regarding weight loss, muscle mass gain or the like;
- Refer to hormones and/or other pharmacological substances and/or on metabolism;
- The expressions: "anabolics", "muscle hypertrophy", "muscle mass", "fat burning", "anti catabolic", "anabolic" or others with the same meaning.
The recommended use should be indicated on the label.
The labelling of dietary supplements must comply with general labelling regulations, including warnings on particularly regulated ingredients.
The labelling of sports supplements should include specific warnings, such as: "This product is not a substitute for a balanced diet and its consumption should be guided by a doctor or nutritionist."
IX. SPECIFIC LABELLING FOR SUPPLEMENTS FOR DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
In accordance with the draft regulation on dietary supplements, dietary supplements must be referred as “dietary supplements with (or based on) - (suplementos dietarios con (o a base de))” following the name of the ingredient or ingredients that compose it.
In the labelling and advertising of dietary supplements, including web pages and social networks, images and/or expressions cannot:
- Induce the consumer to associate the product with therapeutic functions;
- Indicate that the food has medicinal or therapeutic properties;
- Advise its consumption for reasons of stimulating action, health improvement or preventive or curative action;
- Be related to diseases, symptoms, syndromes, anatomical data or statements that affirm that the product covers by itself the nutritional requirements of the individual or that it can substitute some foods.
The recommended use should be indicated on the label.
The labelling of dietary supplements must comply with general labelling regulations, including warnings on particularly regulated ingredients.
The draft regulation on dietary supplements also foresees the indication of specific warnings, such as: "This product is not a substitute for a balanced diet" or "Do not use in case of pregnancy, lactation or children".