Questions and Answers About the Chilean Food Act

Abstract

In recent decades, Chile has undergone significant changes in its population’s eating habits. According to Figure 1, in 2013 Chile was ranked second among Latin American countries in the sale of ultra-processed food and beverages per capita. The high level of consumption of these products is associated with Chile’s low level of compliance with established dietary (nutrition and food) guides. In 2010, 14% of the Chilean population followed three or more recommendations on the national food and nutrition guidelines, and only 5% stated that they followed the guidelines and have a healthy diet. Socioeconomic level and education level determine what is eaten at home, with healthier diets in the highest income quintiles and groups with higher education levels. A study based on the National Survey on Diet revealed that more income is spent on meat, bread and grains, produce, dairy products, cheese and eggs, while less income is spent on legumes, fish and oils. Even though Chile is a major producer of fish and shellfish, on average only 3% of households’ total monthly budget in the first income quintiles is spent on these products. This percentage is higher in the upper quintiles.