ANALYSIS OF WHOLE POWDER MILK LABELING IN RELATION TO THE CRITERIA REQUIRED BY CURRENT LEGISLATION

Abstract

Brazil is among the main milk producing countries in the world. Over the years, besides the commercialization of fluid milk, technology has managed to transform the liquid into powder through an evaporation and desiccation process, which maintains its nutritional value and prevents the growth of deteriorating and pathogenic microorganisms. The label for powder milk, as well as all packaged foods, must contain mandatory information required by specific legislation to maintain communication, nutritional and food security for the consumer. This study aimed to analyze the labeling of whole powdered milk produced in Vale do Taquari-RS and sold in supermarkets from a city in this region in order to compare it with the criteria required by the current legislation. In order to choose the products, we defined two parameters such as 400g packaging and whole powder milk because it has greater availability in the visited markets. We analyzed labels for both general and nutritional labeling criteria based on the current laws that regulate food labeling in Brazil, which are RDC no. 259/2002; RDC no. 359/2003; and RDC no. 360/2003. We also found that the labels were in compliance with the current Brazilian legislation in all evaluated items. In addition, it was possible to demonstrate that industries in the mentioned region are correctly following the standards and specifications imposed by Brazilian current legislation regarding food labeling criteria.