Decreases in purchases of energy, sodium, sugar, and saturated fat three years after implementation of the Chilean Food Labelling and Marketing Law

Abstract

Background In 2016, Chile implemented a multi-phase set of policies that mandated warning labels, restricted food marketing to children, and banned school sales of unhealthy foods and beverages. Chile’s law, particularly the warning label component, set the precedent for a rapid global proliferation of similar policies. While our initial evaluation showed policy-linked decreases in purchases of products carrying the warning label, a longer-term evaluation is needed, particularly as later phases of Chile’s law included stricter nutrient thresholds and introduced a daytime ban on advertising of labeled foods for all audiences. The objective is to evaluate changes in purchases of energy, sugar, sodium, and saturated fat purchased after Phase 2 implementation of the Chilean policies.