Rotulagem de leite e derivados restritos de lactose frente à legislação brasileira vigente

Abstract

Lactose intolerance affects a large part of modern society, which is characterized by the absence or reduction of lactase activity. The food industry has been innovating in the manufacturing process of lactose-restricted products, offering to consumers a several number of options. The nutritional labeling is regulated by resolutions that define the information to be contained on packages, establishing communication between consumer and manufacturer. The aim of this study was to evaluate labels for lactose-restricted milk and derivatives in accordance with current Brazilian legislation. Five supermarket chains located in Fortaleza - CE, between July and September 2019 were visited. 50 labels from 20 brands distributed in the following categories were analyzed: yogurt, dairy drink, milk cream, cottage cheese, milk, fermented milk, condensed milk and cheese. A checklist with 36 items was elaborated based on the following collegiate board resolutions (RDC): 259/02, 359/03, 360/03, 26/15 and 135/17. At the end, each label received a percentage of adequacy and was classified as: adequate, partially adequate or inadequate. There were no inappropriate labels in relation to RDC nº 259/02, 360/03 and 26/15. No label was 100% compliant with all legislation. Absence of the homemade measure, declaration of intrinsic components and functional properties, absence of the correct terms for the declaration of origin of the product, absence of the declaration for 100 grams/milliliters of the food and incomplete identification of the lot were some of the inadequacies found. Thus, there is a need for efficient supervision in the release of these products on the market and a greater commitment from the industries in declaring the information on their labels.