Food Labelling and Claims
Food labeling in Peru is primarily governed by the Consumer Protection and Defense Code (Law No. 29571), the Law for the Promotion of Healthy Eating for Children and Adolescents (Law No. 30021), the General Health Law (Law No. 26842), and the Regulation on Sanitary Surveillance and Control of Food and Beverages (Supreme Decree No. 007-98-SA).
Such regulations establish that information provided to consumers must be truthful, verifiable, and must not mislead consumers regarding the nature, composition, quality, origin, or characteristics of food products.
Further, Article 32 of Law No. 29571 provides that food labeling is governed by the applicable legislation and, in the absence of specific domestic provisions, by the standards of the Codex Alimentarius. Accordingly, Codex standards continue to play an important role in the interpretation and application of food labeling requirements in Peru.
Infant and Young Child Nutrition
Peru has established specific regulations governing foods intended for infants and young children through the Regulation on Infant Feeding approved by Supreme Decree No. 009-2006-SA. The regulation aims to protect and promote breastfeeding and establishes rules applicable to the labeling, advertising, promotion, and commercialization of breast-milk substitutes, infant formulas, follow-up formulas, feeding bottles, teats, and related products. The regulatory framework is largely aligned with the principles of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Organization.
Under this regulation, the advertising and promotion of breast-milk substitutes and related products intended for children under two years of age are generally prohibited. In addition, labeling and advertising must not discourage breastfeeding or suggest that breast-milk substitutes are equivalent or superior to breast milk. Mandatory warnings and information requirements apply to ensure the appropriate use of such products and to provide consumers with accurate and sufficient information.
Enforcement and Consumer Protection
Peru has implemented a front-of-package warning labeling system applicable to processed foods and non-alcoholic beverages that exceed regulatory thresholds for sugar, sodium, saturated fats, or trans fats. Products exceeding such limits must display black octagonal warning labels on the front panel of the package in accordance with Law No. 30021 and its implementing regulations.
Food labeling and advertising claims are also subject to the Consumer Protection and Defense Code and consumer protection rules enforced by INDECOPI.
In assessing compliance with labeling and advertising requirements, authorities may consider Codex Alimentarius standards, including the General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods (CXS 1-1985), together with the applicable provisions of Peruvian consumer protection and food legislation.
Fortification of Foods
Food fortification in Peru is regulated through sector-specific legislation aimed at addressing nutritional deficiencies and public health needs.
Under Law No. 28314 and its implementing Regulation approved by Supreme Decree No. 012-2006-SA, all wheat flour intended for human consumption, whether locally produced, imported, or donated, must be fortified with iron, thiamine (Vitamin B1), riboflavin (Vitamin B2), folic acid, and niacin.
More recently, Law No. 31348 introduced the fortification of rice for direct human consumption. Its implementing Regulation, approved by Supreme Decree No. 008-2024-SA, establishes the minimum levels of vitamins and minerals that fortified rice must contain, including vitamin A, B-complex vitamins, vitamin D, vitamin E, iron, and zinc.
In addition, the Regulation establishes quality control, monitoring, and labeling requirements applicable to fortified rice products.
Claims such as “fortified” or “enriched” must comply with the applicable Peruvian regulatory framework and are generally assessed in light of Codex Alimentarius principles relating to nutrient content claims.
Organic Foods
Peru has a specific legal framework governing organic production and the commercialization of products marketed as organic.
Law No. 29196, the Law for the Promotion of Organic and Ecological Production, together with its implementing Regulation approved by Supreme Decree No. 010-2012-AG, establishes the legal framework applicable to the production, processing, certification, and commercialization of organic products.
The National Agrarian Health Service (SENASA) acts as the competent authority responsible for authorizing and supervising certification entities operating in Peru.
Pursuant to Article 8 of Law No. 29196, SENASA authorizes and supervises certification bodies, including certification organizations and participatory guarantee systems, and promotes the certification of organic products at the producer level.
Further, only products originating from production systems or imports certified by entities authorized by SENASA may be marketed as organic in Peru. Accordingly, only certified products may be commercialized using terms such as “organic”, “ecological”, or “biological”.
Vegetarian and Vegan Claims
There are no specific legal definitions or technical regulations governing vegan or vegetarian foods in Peru.
Accordingly, the use of vegan or vegetarian claims is subject to the general rules applicable to food labeling, advertising, and consumer protection under Law No. 29571.
Therefore, any claim aimed at conveying that a product is “vegan” or “vegetarian” must be truthful, verifiable, and must not mislead consumers regarding the nature, composition, or characteristics of the product.
Consequently, companies using vegan or vegetarian claims must be able to substantiate such statements and ensure consistency between the claim and the product’s ingredients, composition, and overall presentation to consumers.
