The Lancet confirms Chile’s pioneering food policy is helping reduce childhood obesity

08 July 2026

A new study published in The Lancet provides the first national-level evidence that Chile’s comprehensive food policy is making a measurable difference in reducing childhood obesity. The research found that children exposed to Chile’s Food Labelling and Advertising Law (FLAL) were less likely to be overweight or obese than those who were not, demonstrating the impact of coordinated public health measures.

Implemented in 2016, Chile’s groundbreaking legislation introduced a package of complementary measures designed to create healthier food environments. These include mandatory front-of-pack black warning labels on foods and beverages high in sugar, salt, saturated fat or calories, restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy foods to children, and a ban on selling these products in schools.

SAFE strongly supports the design of this public health policy, with coordinated measures.  

The law was introduced in phases, with the nutrient thresholds triggering restrictive policy measures becoming progressively stricter in 2018 and 2019, encouraging manufacturers to reformulate products.

The study analysed data from more than 321,000 Chilean children and is the first to demonstrate the impact of this combined package of policies on children’s body weight at a national level. While the reductions may appear modest, researchers emphasise that even small shifts in weight during early childhood can have important long-term health benefits and reduce the risk of obesity later in life.

Chile’s experience has become an international benchmark, showing that coordinated public health policies can reshape food environments and support healthier choices for children. As countries across Europe continue debating stronger nutrition policies, this new evidence reinforces the value of combining clear food labelling with restrictions on the marketing and availability of unhealthy products to protect children’s health.