The dark side of salt in Panama

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

On Monday, August 28, 2017, at a press conference, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) and the Association of Restaurants and Allied Products of Panama (ARAP) reported that they will initiate a plan of measures to reduce salt consumption in the country, with the aim of providing a better quality of life of the population. 

The implementation of the strategy will be that the 400 restaurants that make up the ARAP will proceed to remove the salt shaker from the tables, leaving their consumption at the discretion of customers. The dark side of salt in Panama.

Even acknowledging the positive purpose of the initiative, it lacks effectiveness because it is mandatory and also reflects a lack of knowledge of the characteristics of the salt economy in Panama. As we will see below, there are salt-related issues that deserve more attention.

As part of the initiative on salt reduction in Latin America, in 2009 the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) estimated apparent salt consumption in Panama in the range of 9.15 - 12.35 grams per day [i]. Subsequently, the Institute of Nutrition of Central America and Panama (INCAP) estimated that, in urban and rural areas, the consumption of table salt was similar, around 10 grams per person [ii]. Meanwhile, animal consumption has been estimated at 20 grams per head per day.

If we take a 10 gr / day / person and 20 gr / head / day, we can figure apparent salt demand in 2014 at 13,368 tons. For human consumption and 11,763 tons. For animal consumption, yielding a total of 25,131 tonnes [iii]. The Value Chain of the salt industry in Panama is structured in 4 main components: 1) the producer; (2) industry; 3) the commercial channel; and 4) the consumer.

Two Value Chains can be identified: the one generated by imports of salt, and the one corresponding to the national production of raw salt. The supply of salt for different purposes (industrial, table, mainly) increased steadily from 2010 As shown in Table No. 1., in 2014 total salt supply amounted to 36,987.12 metric tons.

At the national level, the production is mainly carried out by the cooperatives affiliated to FENCOSPA RL. The saline are located in the Province of Los Santos and are of marine type, located on the coast, specifically in areas called "albinas", extensions of land with little or no vegetation by the inclement flood of salt water.

Sea water is captured by taking high tides ("aguaje") and transported through canals to "tercios" or "lakes", shallow excavations of between 1 and 2 meters deep by about 100 x 100 meters of diameter, which, when drilled in its base allow the entry of salt produced abroad enters Panama in two ways: as raw material: refined industrial salt, and to a lesser extent as Pure Sodium Chloride (Analytical Grade) and as final products for human and animal consumption.

Imported salt enters Panama in two ways, as raw material: refined industrial salt, and to a lesser extent as Pure Sodium Chloride (Analytical Grade) and as final products for human and animal consumption. Raw salt comes from two sources: sea salt and rock salt (or yolk).

Imports are a key factor in explaining the large supply of salt in the domestic market in the Panamanian market. Imports are driving the high levels of consumption in the population. FENCOSPA R.L has the installed capacity to supply the national market and has historically established coordination mechanisms with the Ministry of Health (MINSA).

Imports of salt are the fundamental problem, but invisible to the public and decision makers, because powerful business interests are moving around them. Let's look at several situations unknown to the Panamanians:

 • Imported industrial salt does not fulfill the obligation of  iodized salt.

The import of refined industrial salt has been questioned. The Ministry of Health (MINSA) issued Decree 20 March 2001, stating that any salt that is processed, produced or obtained for human consumption should contain an amount of iodine between 20-60 mg / kg (20-60 ppm.) [iv].

The MINSA implemented Decree March 20, 2001 to these imports, which led to the retention of shipments in that year. This decision provoked the widespread protest of the entrepreneurs dedicated to the industry of meat sausages, snacks and soups. Finally, in March 2001 the MINSA authorities suspended the application of the decree to this item.

One of the main importers who protested was the US transnational Laboratorios Griffith SA, dedicated to the production of condiments for food and sauces in small envelopes. Laboratories Griffith SA imports refined industrial salt from its country of origin, uses it as raw material in its products and exports it to Latin America, having among its largest customers fast food restaurant chains such as KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, McDonald's and Burger King [v].

In the opinion of some industrialists the willingness to force the use of iodized industrial salt "does not exist in any country of the world", which is partially true. In order to prevent refined industrial non-iodized salt from being used for human consumption, in Uruguay, for example, it is marketed in 50 kg bags (while the standard in Panama is 25 kg) and should clearly show the legend: "Salt For industrial use not suitable for human consumption " [saw], a requirement that does not exist in Panama.

• The Colombian press denounces the production of salt of poor quality. 

One of the main exporters of salt to Panama is Colombia. Since 1995 the Colombian news media have denounced the existence of salt of poor quality. In 1995 the El Tiempo newspaper reported:

"The Colombian Family Welfare Institute (Icbf) and the sectional health departments of Bogotá and the departments of Atlántico, Antioquia, Bolívar, Meta, Santander and Valle.

The document says that 70 percent of the salt consumed in the national territory is not fit for human consumption or does not meet the conditions required by the Ministry of Health.

Therefore, two-thirds of the salt currently marketed in the country are inadequately iodized, which exposes the Colombian population to disorders due to deficiency of this element, such as mental retardation, cretinism, decreased IQ and physical development, especially of children and young people, says the study.

In the case of Venezuelan and Peruvian salt that arrives in Colombia, worse indices of iodine content were found than in the national one, but it is very difficult to know if this originates in the processing plants of these countries or is made in the country, in the time to repackage "[ vii]].

That is, in 1995 the problem was found both in imports of Venezuelan and Peruvian salt, as processed in Colombia. It is important to emphasize that the company involved that the "salt they import is already purified and selected and show evidence of the health service of Norte de Santander where it ensures that it does meet the requirements and sells a cheaper product" [ viii ] ].

In 2013 the Scientific Society of Endocrinologists of Colombia reported that cases of goiter, which should only be referred to as past data, "are again being warned by health professionals in the different consultations of hospitals and medical centers from the city". The information adds:

"Specialists warn that something is failing and the first thing to check is the table salt that is consumed daily. Although it is a provision of the competent authorities at national level, and iodate table salt that is marketed, this does not guarantee that that product of basic use in the homes, is the most appropriate for the health of the children. Health professionals warn that under certain neglects in the management of salt at the time of commercialization, it can lose the amounts of iodine in its composition, and this will be harmful to the health of the population.

"The fact that the salt bags say it is iodine is no guarantee that it will be," warns endocrinologist Rima Ribera de Parrish. "If the salt is exposed to the sun or gets wet, it loses the properties of iodine", he adds, so it is alerted that the authorities that oversee the quality control of the products and the way of selling in the centers of supply, kiosks, supermarkets, must be very careful handling this element. "

On May 6, 2016, the newspaper El Espectador published a message by the social media informing about the illegal exploitation of salt in La Guajira, indicating:

"Behind this illegal network is a series of" millers ", the ones in charge of commercializing the brine through various products that would not have minimum quality standards. They added that with these actions they are deceiving to different buyers who do not know "the bad quality of the product and harming the environment".

Despite these disturbing news, the Panamanian Authority for Food Safety ( AUPSA) has maintained the mechanisms of physical verification, without resorting to another type of analysis, of salt from Colombia.

• Panamanian sea salt is superior to imported salt. 

Salt of Mine or Gem as produced in Chile (El Gran Salar) is rock salt, which has a concentration of Sodium Chloride of 85% and 15% of impurities or (rut), this Salt, is sent to the refineries in the form of raw brine, where calcium, magnesium and impurities like other micronutrients (54 tracks) are removed by the dosage of sodium carbonate and caustic soda in the reactors, precipitating the impurities.

Later they go through the process of crystallization and dosing of Fluorine, Iodine and anticompactant, becoming salt for human consumption. This salt is appreciated a little whiter by the sustenances of the mentioned chemical effects and its granules are finer by the effect of the process known as crystallization.

Sea Salt is obtained through sea water, which is carried to lakes and crystals, where, due to sun exposure and warm winds, the water evaporates giving origin to the salt grain. From there it is extracted to be submitted to wash, and dry milling, which makes its grains more triangular and less white, but more pure and with a high content of micro-nutrients by which it is called "THE SALT OF LIFE." Subsequently, the salt is sieved and added with Iodine, Fluorine and Anticompactant.

Sea salt gives the body more minerals than the salt of minerals or gems, essential for the formation of bones, teeth, red blood cells, hair growth, tissue development, synthesis of hormones and for the most part of the chemical reactions in which the enzymes intervene, making it better for human consumption. Digital Pharma News Magazine summarizes the differences between this type of salt, which makes the sea salt healthier than mine, as well as other environmental benefits generated by its consumption. The main differences are:

a)   The content of mine salt is sodium chloride and other minerals such as magnesium, potassium, iodine, among others. Sea salt, moreover, has more trace elements and minerals, above all, has a higher content of iodine and not of sodium, which contributes to the health of the organism.

b)   The minerals contained in the salt of the mine make it have a lighter taste, which means that more food has to be used for the preparation of food. Sea salt has a higher flavor intensity because it contains attractive crystals and, because it is a naturally iodinated product, adds a gourmet flavor to the food, with less quantity.

c) At the ecological level, mining salt extraction also has a negative impact as rivers, streams and aquifers are contaminated by extraction. Much water is also used for the maintenance, washing of the mine and for its own extraction; In addition to this, there is also a labor risk in the extraction process. In sea salt there are no processes, the sea has been undulating for millions of years, wasting all the minerals and stones that exist on the planet. These particles are suspended in seawater, evaporating the sea salt.

The above indicates that the product of FENCOSPA RL has a quality superior to the salt of imported mine or Gem, an aspect that must be considered by the governmental entities, to define a policy of support for the salt production sector. It is not only a question of preventing the leakage of foreign exchange, but also about supporting a national product with unquestionable importance for the health of the inhabitants of the country.

• The Himalayan Salt that is not from the Himalayas (misleading advertising) .

The Himalayan salt is not from the Himalayas, but from an area where the industrial village called Kherwa is located on the plains of the Pakistani Punjab, a couple of kilometers from the Jhelum River, 288 meters above sea level, and next to the Dandot Cement Factory. According to the information available "the name of this salt was created by Peter Ferreira in the 90's, only for commercial purposes to be able to carry out its sale in Germany" [ix].

Based on studies carried out by the Bavarian Consumer Protection Agency, the German public-sector ZDF presented a model in which it could be seen how, in addition to 96% sodium chloride, Himalayan salt is contaminated with 2-3% gypsum (polyhalite), and small amounts of up to 10 different minerals. The only difference between this set and the table salt consumed in Europe is its processing, in which sodium vapors are passed over the sodium chloride crystals, so that the chloride ions combine with ions of the metal, giving rise to that characteristic pink coloration.

As noted earlier, the AUPSA sized packages of Himalayan Salt, finding that it had been introduced as "raw material". However, nothing has been done to deal with the misleading advertising that accompanies this brand and, moreover, the German government, specifically the Bavarian Consumer Protection Agency, has not been asked for the results of the chemical analyzes carried out on this product.

• Balanced food for animals is imported as table salt or cooking. 

Products Nevada, S. De RL allegedly imported 13,275.28 kg, 24.33% of table salt or cooking. This company was acquired by the cooperative de Productores de Leche DOS Pinos RL of Costa Rica, in May 2013 [x]. The Nevada Plant - located in Chiriquí - produces whole milk, semi-skimmed, skimmed, flavored and oats; as well as fruit juices under the brands Nevada, Chiricana and Tutti Frutti. Products Nevada SA imported 13,275.28 kg from Costa Rica, which entered PasoCanoas. See attached figure.

However, this product was entered in Costa Rica as: "brand, in international class 31, to protect and distinguish: animal feedingstuffs " [xi] In addition, according to the Nice Classification of the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), it describes Class 31 as follows: "Grains and agricultural, horticultural and forestry products, not included in other classes; live animals; fresh fruits and vegetables and legumes; seeds; natural plants and flowers; feed for animals; malt". How is AUPSA justified to include a product intended to provide a balanced feed to animals, such as table salt or cooking?

• Salt is imported with the tariff item of table salt, but it is industrial salt. Another striking case concerns imports from Lavery Panameña, SA, which imported 6,000 kg of "Refined Salt" in 2015. On its website this company offers different food products such as Cheeses, Butters, Margarine, Mayonnaise and Mustard, Sauces and Pasta. Consequently, imported salt is transformed into the production of its products, as indicated on its advertising website by indicating that they use "domestic and foreign raw materials of high quality".

Now there is a difference between the Industrial Salt and Table Salt or Cooking; the Refined Salt consists of an almost pure proportion of NaCl (99.9%), and it is not obligatory that it is iodized. Table salt, on the other hand, has a lower degree of refinement, reaching a concentration of 95% in sodium chloride, but iodine is mandatory. This type of salt is used mainly in food and is usually found in the sealers that are in the tables of meals (hence its name: table salt). However, AUPSA has classified these imports in the heading of "Table Salt or Cooking". Consequently, imports of Lavery Pan.

THE LACK OF TRANSPARENCY IN THE MARKET OF LA SAL.

1. The market for salt imports lacks transparency and equity, to the detriment of FENCOSPA RL We have shown that non-saline products have entered the country as such. In addition, large shipments of salt have been received from countries such as Colombia, where the news media have repeatedly denounced the presence of poor quality salt.

2. An important aspect to consider is the level of purity of this product. Costa Rica, for example, applies the Central American Tariff System (SAC), which establishes that table salt or cooking must have a minimum of 99.9% purity. However, the Costa Rican Customs Laboratories have found levels of 99.7%, which has forced to reclassify the imported material in the tariff section 2501.00. 90.99 (Sales, even in aqueous dissolution or with the addition of anti-caking agents or agents that guarantee good fluidity), leading to a change in the settlement of the applicable taxes in favor of the tax authorities.

3. In the case of Panama, AUPSA does not practice laboratory tests in customs, restricting itself to superficial physical inspection. Once this deficiency has been corrected, the import market will become transparent and the value of the product will undoubtedly change. In these conditions of low transparency and equity FENCOSPA RL faces unfair competition.

4. As will be seen later, FENCOSPA RL is in a position to compete successfully in the domestic market, and even to enter the international market, but it is necessary that the Panamanian state applies the existing regulations for the safeguard of the national salt produced. FENCOSPA RL can become a strategic ally of the Ministry of Health (MINSA) of Panama to reduce the hypertension rates of the population, as a result, among other factors of excessive table salt intake.


[i]   Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Salt Reduction Initiative in the Americas: Fact Sheet, 2009. URL: http://new.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/2009/sal_ini_hoja_inf.pdf . Accessed January 9, 2016.
[ii]   MENCHÚ, M. T, H. MÉNDEZ. Analysis of the Food Situation in Panama. Guatemala: INCAP, 2011. URL:   www.incap.int/.../660- panama-report- analysis- of- situation - food
[iii]   Own elaboration based on the Population Censuses and the Agricultural Census of the Comptroller General of the Republic of Panama.
[iv] NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF PANAMÁ, Executive Decree that Regulates Article 18 Cabinet Decree 366 of 1969, On the Salt Industry in the Country, Modified by Law 43 of 2000. URL: http://docs.panama.justia.com/ federal / executive-decrees / 20-of-2001-mar-6-2001.pdf. Read on December 17, 2015.
[v] "Griffith restructures operations in Panama", in: La Prensa , Panama, July 05 , 2003. URL: http://impresa.prensa.com/economia/Griffith-reestructura-operaciones Panama_0_960654049.html . Retrieved on December 17, 2015.
[saw] IMPO, Normative and Legal Notices of Uruguay, Decree No. 375/990. National Plan for the Fluorination of Salt for Human Consumption. Oral Pathology. Uruguay, Promulgated on 08/17/1990. URL: http://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos/375-1990 . Read on December 17, 2015.
[vii]   " Poor Quality Salt Market Grows ", In: El Tiempo , Colombia, March 13, 1995 , URL: http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-273365
[viii]   Ibídem .
[ix] "The Himalayan Salt Scam", In Home Cooking, URL: http://www.cocina-casera.com/2015/01/estafa-sal-himalaya.html, Read January 13, 2016 .
[x]   "Dos Pinos received the guarantee to buy the Panamanian milk plant Nevada", In: La Prensa, Panama, May 15, 2013 , URL. http: // w ww.nacion.com/economia/Pinos-recibio-comprar-panamena-Nevada_0_1341665900.html . Read January 8, 2016.
[xi] La Gaceta Nº 184, Costa Rica, Tuesday, September 25, 2007. URL: www.gaceta.go.cr/pub/2007/09/2 5 / comp_25_09_2007.pdf . Read January 8, 2016.

Situación del Mercado Voluntario de Carbono (VIDEO)

El lado oscuro de la sal en Panama

Francisco Rivas Ríos.

El lunes 28 de agosto de 2017, en rueda de prensa, el Ministro de Salud (MINSA) y la Asociación de Restaurantes y Afines de Panamá (ARAP), informaron que iniciarán un plan de medidas para disminuir el consumo de sal en el país, con el objetivo de proveer una mejor calidad de vida a la población.

La implementación de la estrategia consistirá en que los 400 restaurantes que conforman la ARAP procederán a retirar los saleros de las mesas, dejando su consumo a discreción de los clientes.

Aun reconociendo el propósito positivo de la iniciativa, carece de efectividad pues adolece de obligatoriedad y, además, refleja un desconocimiento de las características de la economía salinera en Panamá. Como veremos a continuación, hay asuntos relacionados con la sal que merecen mayor atención.

Como parte de las iniciativas sobre la reducción de la sal en América Latina, en 2009 la Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), estimó un consumo aparente de sal en Panamá en un rango de 9.15- 12.35 gramos diarios[i]. Posteriormente, el Instituto de Nutrición de Centroamérica y Panamá (INCAP), estimó que, en las áreas urbanas y rurales, el consumo de sal de mesa era similar, en torno a los 10 gramos por persona[ii]. Mientras tanto se ha estimado el consumo animal en 20 gramos diarios por cabeza.

Si tomamos como base 10 gr/día/persona y 20gr/cabeza/día, podemos cifrar demanda aparente de sal en 2014 en 13,368 ton. para consumo humano y 11,763 ton. para consumo animal, arrojando un total de 25,131 toneladas[iii].

La Cadena de Valor de la industria de la sal en Panamá se estructura en 4 componentes principales: 1) el productor; 2) la industria; 3) el canal comercial; y 4) el consumidor.

Se pueden identificar dos Cadenas de Valor: la generada con las importaciones de sal, y la que corresponde a la producción nacional de sal cruda.

La oferta de sal para distintos propósitos (industrial, de mesa, principalmente) aumentó de manera sostenida a partir de 2010 Como se observa en la Tabla No. 1., en 2014 la oferta total de sal ascendió a 36,987.12 toneladas métricas.

En el ámbito nacional la producción es realizada, principalmente, por las cooperativas afiliadas a FENCOSPA R.L. Las salinas se localizan en la Provincia de Los Santos y son de tipo marino, situadas en la costa específicamente en áreas llamadas “albinas”, extensiones de tierra con poca o ninguna vegetación por la inclemente inundación de agua salada.

El agua de mar es captada aprovechando las mareas altas (“aguaje”) y transportada por medio de canales hasta los “tercios” o “lagos”, excavaciones poco profundas de entre 1 y 2 metros de profundidad por alrededor de 100 x 100 metros de diámetro, los cuales al perforarse en su base permiten la entrada de la sal que se produce en el extranjero ingresa a Panamá de dos maneras: como materia prima: sal refinada industrial, y en menor medida como Cloruro de Sodio Puro (Grado Analítico) y como producto final para el consumo humano y animal.

La sal importada ingresa a Panamá de dos maneras, como materia prima: sal refinada industrial, y en menor medida como Cloruro de Sodio Puro (Grado Analítico) y como producto final para el consumo humano y animal. La sal cruda procede de dos fuentes: sal marina y sal de roca (o gema). 

Las importaciones de sal constituyen el problema de fondo, pero invisible a los ojos de la opinión pública y de los tomadores de decisión, porque en torno a ellas se mueven poderosos intereses empresariales. Veamos varias situaciones desconocidas para el común de los panameños:

• Sal industrial importada no cumple con la obligación de yodarse.

La importación de Sal Refinada Industrial ha sido objeto de cuestionamientos. El Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) emitió el Decreto 20 de marzo de 2001, indicándose que toda sal que se procese, produzca o se obtenga para el consumo humano debería contener una cantidad de yodo entre 20-60 mg/kg (20-60 ppm)[iv].

El MINSA aplicó el Decreto 20 de marzo de 2001 a estas importaciones, lo cual acarreó la retención de los embarques en ese año.  Esta decisión provocó la protesta generalizada de los empresarios dedicados a la industria de embutidos cárnicos, snacks y sopas. Finalmente, en marzo de 2001 las autoridades del MINSA suspendieron la aplicación del decreto a este rubro.

Una de las principales importadoras que protestaron, fue la transnacional estadounidense Laboratorios Griffith S.A., dedicada a la producción de condimentos para alimentos y salsas en sobres pequeños.  Laboratorios Griffith S.A. importa de la Sal Refinada Industrial desde su país de origen, la utiliza como materia prima en sus productos y los exporta a América Latina, teniendo entre sus clientes más grandes las cadenas de restaurantes de comida rápida como KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, McDonald's y Burger King[v].

En opinión de algunos industriales la disposición de obligar el uso de sal industrial yodada “no existe en ningún país de mundo”, lo cual es parcialmente cierto. Para evitar que la sal refinada industrial no yodada sea utilizada para consumo humano, en Uruguay, por ejemplo, se comercializa en bolsas de 50 kg (mientras que la norma en Panamá es de 25 kg) y deberá lucir claramente la leyenda: “Sal Para uso industrial no apta para el consumo Humano"[vi], exigencia que no existe en Panamá.

• La prensa colombiana denuncia la producción de sal de mala calidad.

Uno de los principales exportadores de sal a Panamá es Colombia.

Desde 1995 los medios periodísticos de Colombia, han denunciado la existencia de sal de mala calidad.  En 1995 el Periódico El Tiempo informó:

“el Instituto Colombiano de Bienestar Familiar (Icbf) y las direcciones seccionales de salud de Bogotá y de los departamentos del Atlántico, Antioquia, Bolívar, Meta, Santander y Valle.

El documento asegura que el 70 por ciento de la sal que se consume en el territorio nacional no es apta para el consumo humano o no cumple con las condiciones exigidas por el Ministerio de Salud.

Por ello, las dos terceras partes de la sal que actualmente se comercializa en el país está inadecuadamente yodada, lo que expone a la población colombiana a sufrir desórdenes por la deficiencia de este elemento, como retardo mental, cretinismo, disminución del coeficiente intelectual y del desarrollo físico, en especial de los niños y los jóvenes, dice el estudio.

En el caso de la sal venezolana y peruana que llega a Colombia, se encontraron índices peores de contenido de yodo que en la nacional, pero es muy difícil saber si esto se origina en las plantas procesadoras de estos países o se hace en país, en el momento de reempacar”[vii]].

Es decir, en 1995 el problema se encontraba tanto en las importaciones de sal venezolana y peruana, como la procesada en Colombia. Es importante destacar que la empresa involucrada que la “sal que importan ya viene purificada y seleccionada y muestran constancias del servicio seccional de salud de Norte de Santander donde se asegura que sí cumple con los requisitos exigidos y que vende un producto más barato”[viii]].

En 2013 la Sociedad Científica de Endocrinólogos de Colombia, informó que los casos de bocio, de los que solo se debería hablar como un dato del pasado, “vuelven a ser advertidos por los profesionales de salud en las diferentes consultas de los hospitales y centros médicos de la ciudad”.

La información agrega:

“Los especialistas alertan que algo está fallando y lo primero que se debe revisar es la sal de mesa que a diario se consume. Si bien es una disposición de las autoridades competentes a nivel nacional, yodar la sal de mesa que se comercializa, esto no es garantía de que aquel producto de uso básico en los hogares, sea el más apropiado para la salud de los cruceños. Los profesionales de salud advierten que bajo ciertos descuidos en el manejo de la sal al momento de ser comercializada, puede llegar a perder las cantidades de yodo en su composición, y ello resultar dañino para la salud de la población.

“El hecho de que las bolsas de sal digan que es yodada no es garantía de que así sea”, advierte la endocrinóloga Rima Ribera de Parrish. “Si la sal es expuesta al sol o se humedece, pierde las propiedades de yodo”, complementa, por ello se alerta que las autoridades que fiscalizan el control de calidad de los productos y la forma de venta en los centros de abasto, kioscos, supermercados, deben tener mucho cuidado manipulando este elemento”.

El 6 de mayo de2016 el periódico El Espectador difundió un mensaje por los medios sociales informando de la explotación ilegal de sal en La Guajira indicando:

“Detrás de esta red ilegal está una serie de “molineros”, los encargados de comercializar la salmuera a través de diversos productos que no tendrían los estándares de calidad mínima. Agregaron que con estas acciones están engañando a distintos compradores que no conocen” la mala calidad del producto y perjudicando el medio ambiente”.

A pesar de estas noticias inquietantes, la Autoridad Panameña de Seguridad de Alimentos (AUPSA) ha mantenido los mecanismos de verificación física, sin recurrir a otro tipo de análisis, de la sal procedente de Colombia.

• La sal marina panameña es superior a la sal de mina importada.

La Sal de Mina o Gema como la producida en Chile (El Gran Salar) es la sal en roca la cual presenta una concentración de Cloruro de Sodio del 85% y un 15% de impurezas o (rute), esta Sal, es enviada a las refinadoras en forma de salmuera cruda, donde se le quita el calcio, magnesio e impurezas como demás micro nutrientes (54 trazas) mediante la dosificación de carbonato de sodio y soda cáustica en los reactores, precipitando las impurezas. Posteriormente pasan al proceso de recristalización y dosificación del Flúor, Yodo y anticompactante convirtiéndose en sal para consumo humano. Esta sal se aprecia un poco más blanca por los sustentos de los efectos químicos mencionados y sus gránulos son más finos por efecto del proceso conocido como recristalización.

La Sal de Mar se obtiene a través del agua de mar, la cual es llevada a lagos y cristalizadores, donde por efectos de exposición solar y cálidos vientos, el agua se evapora dando origen al grano de Sal. De allí se extrae para ser sometida a lavado, y molienda en seco, lo que hace que sus granos sean más triangulares y menos blancos, pero más puros y con alto contenido de micro -nutrientes por los cuales se le denomina “LA SAL DE LA VIDA”. Posteriormente, la sal es tamizada y adicionada con Yodo, Flúor y Anticompactante.

La sal marina aporta al cuerpo mayor cantidad de minerales que la sal de mina o gema indispensables para la formación de los huesos, los dientes, los glóbulos rojos, el crecimiento del cabello, elaboración de los tejidos, síntesis de hormonas y en la mayor parte de las reacciones químicas en las que intervienen las enzimas por lo cual es mejor para el consumo humano. 

La Revista Digital PharmaNews resume de la siguiente forma las diferencias entre este tipo de sales, mismas que hacen a la sal de mar más saludable que la de mina, además de otras ventajas ambientales que genera su consumo. Las principales diferencias son:

a) El contenido de sal de mina es de cloruro de sodio y otros minerales como magnesio, potasio, yodo, entre otros. La sal de mar, además, posee más oligoelementos y minerales, sobre todo, tiene mayor contenido en yodo y no de sodio, lo que contribuye a la salud del organismo.

b) Los minerales que contiene la sal de mina hacen que ésta tenga un sabor más ligero, lo que genera que se tenga que usar mayor cantidad para la preparación de alimentos.  La sal de mar tiene mayor intensidad de sabor por contener cristales característicos atractivos y, por tratarse de un producto naturalmente yodado, agrega un sabor gourmet a la comida, con menos cantidad.

c) A nivel de ecología, la extracción de sal de mina también tiene un impacto negativo ya que, al extraerse se contaminan ríos, riachuelos y mantos acuíferos. También se utiliza mucha agua para el mantenimiento, lavado de la mina y para su propia extracción; aunado a esto, también existe un riesgo laboral en su proceso de extracción. En la sal de mar no existen procesos, el mar se mueve onduladamente desde hace millones de años, desgastando todos los minerales y piedras que existen en el planeta. Esas partículas están en suspensión en el agua del mar, evaporándose queda la sal de mar.

Lo anterior indica que el producto de FENCOSPA R.L. tiene una calidad superior a la sal de mina o Gema importada, un aspecto que debe ser considerado por las entidades gubernamentales, para definir una política de apoyo al sector salinero. No se trata únicamente de evitar la fuga de divisas, sino también de apoyar un producto nacional con incuestionable importancia para la salud de los habitantes del país.

• La Sal del Himalaya que no es del Himalaya (publicidad engañosa).

La sal del Himalaya no es del Himalaya, sino de una zona donde se localiza el pueblo industrial llamado Kherwa en las llanuras del Punjab paquistaní, a un par de kilómetros del río Jhelum, a 288 metros sobre el nivel del mar, y junto a la Fábrica de Cemento Dandot. De acuerdo con la información disponible “el nombre de esta sal fue creado por Peter Ferreira en la década de los 90, únicamente con fines comerciales para poder llevar a cabo su venta en Alemania” [ix]

Sobre la base de los estudios realizados por la Agencia de Protección del Consumidor de Baviera, la cadena pública alemana ZDF presentó un modelo en el que se podía ver cómo, además de un 96% de cloruro de sodio, la Sal del Himalaya está contaminada con un 2-3% de yeso (polihalita), y pequeñas cantidades de hasta 10 minerales distintos.

La única diferencia entre esta sal y la sal de mesa que se consume en Europa, es su proceso de elaboración, en el que se hacen pasar vapores de sodio sobre los cristales de cloruro de sodio, de forma que los iones cloruro se combinan con iones del metal, dando lugar a esa coloración rosada característica.

Como se indicó anteriormente, la AUPSA decomisó paquetes de la Sal del Himalaya, al constatar que se había introducido como “materia prima”. No obstante, nada se ha hecho para enfrentar la publicidad engañosa que acompaña esta marca y, más aun, no se ha solicitado al gobierno de Alemania, específicamente a la Agencia de Protección del Consumidor de Baviera, los resultados los análisis químicos realizados a este producto.

• Alimento balanceado para animales se importa como sal de mesa o cocina.

Productos Nevada, S. de R.L. supuestamente importó 13,275.28 Kg, el 24.33% de sal de mesa o cocina. Esta empresa fue adquirida por la Cooperativa de Productores de Leche Dos Pinos R.L de Costa Rica, en mayo de 2013[x]. La Planta Nevada —ubicada en Chiriquí— produce leches enteras, semidescremadas, descremadas, saborizadas y con avena; así como jugos de frutas, bajo las marcas Nevada, Chiricana y Tutti Frutti. 

Productos Nevada S.A. importó 13,275.28 Kg procedentes de Costa Rica, los cuales ingresaron por Paso Canoas. Véase la figura adjunta.

Sin embargo, este producto fue inscrito en Costa Rica como: “marca de fábrica, en clase 31 internacional, para proteger y distinguir: alimentos balanceados para animales”[xi] Además,  de acuerdo con la Clasificación de Niza de la Organización Mundial de la Propiedad Intelectual (WIPO por sus siglas en inglés) describe la Clase 31 de la siguiente forma: “Granos y productos agrícolas, hortícolas y forestales, no comprendidos en otras clases; animales vivos; frutas y verduras, hortalizas y legumbres frescas; semillas; plantas y flores naturales; alimentos para animales; malta”.

¿Cómo se justifica que AUPSA aceptara incluir un producto destinado a proporcionar alimentos balanceados a los animales, como sal de mesa o cocina?

• Se importa sal con el inciso arancelario de la sal de mesa pero es sal industrial.

Otro caso llamativo se refiere a las importaciones de Lavery Panameña, S.A., la cual importó en 2015 6,000 Kg de “Sal Refinada”. En su página web esta empresa ofrece distintos productos alimenticios tales como Quesos, Mantequillas, Margarina, Mayonesas y Mostaza, Salsas y Pasta. Por consiguiente, la sal importada es transformada en la elaboración de sus productos, tal y como se indica en su página web publicitaria al indicar que utilizan “materias primas nacionales y extranjeras de alta calidad”.

Ahora bien, existe una diferencia entre la Sal Refinada Industrial y la Sal de Mesa o Cocina; la Sal Refinada consta de una proporción casi pura de NaCl (99,9%), y no es obligatorio que esté yodada. La Sal de Mesa, en cambio, posee un grado de refinamiento menor pudiendo llegar a una concentración de 95% de peso en cloruro sódico, pero el yodo es obligatorio. Este tipo de sal es empleado fundamentalmente en alimentación y se suele encontrar generalmente en los saleros que hay en las mesas de comidas (de ahí su denominación: sal de mesa).

Sin embargo, AUPSA ha clasificado estas importaciones en el rubro de “Sal de Mesa o Cocina” . Por consiguiente, las importaciones de Lavery Panameña, S.A. deberían reclasificarse en términos arancelarios.

LA FALTA DE TRANSPARENCIA EN EL MERCADO DE LA SAL.

1. El mercado de las importaciones de sal carece de transparencia y equidad, en perjuicio de FENCOSPA R.L. Hemos demostrado que contingentes de productos no salinos, han entrado al país como tales. Además, se han recibido grandes embarques de sal procedentes de países como Colombia, en donde reiteradamente los medios periodísticos han denunciado la presencia de sal de mala calidad.
2. Un aspecto importante a considerar es el nivel de pureza de este producto. Costa Rica, por ejemplo, aplica el Sistema Arancelario Centroamericano (SAC), el cual establece que la sal de mesa o cocina deben tener un mínimo de 99.9 % de pureza. Sin embargo, los Laboratorios aduaneros costarricenses han encontrado niveles de 99.7%, lo cual ha obligado a reclasificar el material importado en la fracción arancelaria 2501.00. 90.99 (Sales, Incluso en Disolución Acuosa o con Adición de Antiaglomerantes o de Agentes que garanticen una buena fluidez), conllevando una modificación en la liquidación de los gravámenes aplicables a favor del fisco.
3.  En el caso de Panamá la AUPSA no practica exámenes de laboratorio en las aduanas, restringiéndose a la inspección física superficial. Una vez corregida esta deficiencia, el mercado de las importaciones se volverá transparente y el valor del producto sin duda sufrirá cambios. En estas condiciones de escasa transparencia y equidad FENCOSPA R.L. enfrenta una competencia desleal.
4. Como se verá más adelante, FENCOSPA R.L. está en condiciones de competir con éxito en el mercado nacional, e incluso incursionar en el mercado internacional, pero se hace necesario que el estado panameño aplique la normativa existente para la salvaguarda del productor salinero nacional. FENCOSPA R.L. se puede convertir en un aliado estratégico del Ministerio de Salud (MINSA) de Panamá para reducir los índices de hipertensión arterial de la población, como resultado, entre otros factores de la excesiva ingesta de sal de mesa.

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[i] Organización Panamericana de la Salud (OPS), Iniciativa sobre la reducción de sal en las Américas: Hoja Informativa, 2009. URL: http://new.paho.org/hq/dmdocuments/2009/sal_ini_hoja_inf.pdf. Consultado el 9 de enero de 2016.

[ii] MENCHÚ, M. T, H. MÉNDEZ. Análisis de la Situación Alimentaria en Panamá. Guatemala: INCAP, 2011. URL: www.incap.int/.../660-panama-informe-analisis-de-situacion-alimentaria

[iii] Elaboración propia a partir de los Censos de Población y los Censos Agropecuarios de la Contraloría General de la República de Panamá.

[iv] ASAMBLEA NACIONAL DE PANAMÁ, Decreto Ejecutivo que Reglamenta el Articulo 18 el Decreto de Gabinete 366 de 1969, Sobre la Industria Salinera en el País, Modificado por la Ley 43 de 2000. URL: http://docs.panama.justia.com/federales/decretos-ejecutivos/20-de-2001-mar-6-2001.pdf . Leído el 17 de diciembre de 2015.

[v] “Griffith reestructura operaciones en Panamá”, en: La Prensa, Panamá, 05 jul 2003. URL:  http://impresa.prensa.com/economia/Griffith-reestructura-operaciones Panama_0_960654049.html. Consultado el 17 de diciembre de 2015.

[vi] IMPO, Normativa y Avisos Legales del Uruguay, Decreto N° 375/990. Plan Nacional de Fluoracion de la Sal para Consumo Humano. Patología Bucal. Uruguay, Promulgado el 17/08/1990. URL: http://www.impo.com.uy/bases/decretos/375-1990 . Leído el 17 de diciembre de 2015.

[vii] “Crece Mercado de Sal de Mala Calidad”, En: El Tiempo, Colombia, 13 de marzo de 1995, URL: http://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/MAM-273365 

[viii] Ibídem.

[ix] “La estafa de la Sal del Himalaya”, En Cocina Casera, URL: http://www.cocina-casera.com/2015/01/estafa-sal-himalaya.html, Leído el 13 de enero de 2016.

[x] “Dos Pinos recibió el aval para comprar la planta panameña de leche Nevada”, En: La Prensa, Panamá, 15 de mayo de 2013, URL. http://www.nacion.com/economia/Pinos-recibio-comprar-panamena-Nevada_0_1341665900.html. Leído el 8 de enero de 2016.

[xi] La Gaceta Nº 184, Costa Rica, Martes 25 de setiembre de 2007. URL: www.gaceta.go.cr/pub/2007/09/25/comp_25_09_2007.pdf . Leído el 8 de enero de 2016.

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Panama's state workers conquer the right to organize

On August 21, 2017, the Minister of Labor and Labor Development (MITRADEL) of Panama, Luis Ernesto Carles, and authorized by the Cabinet Council, presented for the consideration of the National Assembly of Deputies, Bill No. 036- 17, "That regulates the Collective Labor Relations in the Public Sector".

The Bill brought together the consensus of the Government, the business council (National Council of Private Enterprise - CONEP) and the main trade union centers: The National Council of Organized Workers - CONATO - and the National Confederation of Independent Trade Union Unity - CONUSI.

In the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill, the presentation of the legislative initiative is justified in the following terms:

"For more than twenty-five years, the Republic of Panama has maintained serious observations by the Governing Bodies of the International Labor Organization (ILO) concerning the application of Conventions 87 and 98 on freedom of association and collective bargaining for non- to attend to the recognition of the right of association and collective bargaining in the Public Sector.

The current situation in the public sector in terms of collective labor law, is the existence of associations rather than unions, there being no prior conciliation procedure, as a budget to raise a collective labor dispute, which brings Consequence of the so-called de facto strikes in the public sector. " 

The most important articles recognize the right of public officials to form trade union organizations, as follows:

Article 3. Public servants may form trade union organizations. Without prior authorization and affiliation to them, whatever the trade, profession or sector in which they render services.

...

Article 5. The right of association is recognized to civil servants, under the protection of trade union organizations ...,

Article 7. The trade union organizations that are constituted in accordance with the present Law will be legal persons capable of exercising rights and contracting obligations and will be exempt from covering the national taxes that weigh on their goods.

 Article 8. Associations or guilds of civil servants with labor claim activity must make their union registration to raise collective labor disputes before the institution that provides service.

The project requires a legislative process to become law, but considering the tripartite consensus reached, no problems are expected in its approval.

Panama becomes the country with the greatest progress in terms of trade union rights, even surpassing Costa Rica, where the right to organize in the private sector is practically zero because of the fierce opposition of an ultraconservative corporate cupula. Contray to what happens in Panama.

The text of the Bill can be downloaded here.

Bye bye plastic bags in Panama

Members of Panama's National Assembly, approved the law No. 492 "which adopts measures to promote the use of reusable bags in commercial establishments". It is an initiative that is important, but scarcely consulted with environmental non-governmental organizations and the business sector. A great effort of diffusion and a viable operational framework (regulations of the law) for its implementation will be necessary.

Considering that it is a relatively short text, transcribe it full. 

"THE ASSEMBLY NATIONAL DECREES:

Article 1. The use of polyethylene or conventional plastic supermarket bags is prohibited. Supermarkets, Department stores and shops in general for transport of products or goods, which are not compatible with the mitigation of the environmental impact.

The Ministry of the environment shall determine in one period not longer than fifteen calendar days, counted from the promulgation of this law, the technical specifications that must meet the plastic bags, so that they conform to the parameters required for reuse. 

Article 2. Establishments referred to in this law shall make the progressive replacement of the banned bags. By Containers of non-polluting material or reusable plastic, within the following time limits:

1. Twelve months, counting from the promulgation of this law, for supermarkets, pharmacies and retailers.

2. Twenty-four months, counting from the promulgation of this law, for stores and wholesalers. 

Article 3. This law shall not apply when for reasons of aseptic polyethylene bags or other conventional plastic material should be used to contain food or wet processed inputs or pre-made and no practical use of a substitute that is compatible with the minimization of the environmental impact.

Article 4. Consumer and competition protection authority will be responsible for the implementation of this law and the control of replacement that is article 2. 

Article 5. The Ministry of environment shall have the following responsibilities: 

1. Develop campaigns for dissemination and national awareness about the rational use of non-biodegradable and non-degradable material, as well as the benefits to the environment from the use of reusable bags or environmentally friendly materials.

2 activities with the purpose of adding to companies not provided for in this law, related to the marketing of products, so that they match the requirements of this Act.

Article 6. Merchants may choose by collection or not reusable bags. In the event that they decide to charge them to consumers, consumer and competition protection authority supervise are charged at cost. For such purpose, shall send to the authority, at the beginning of each year, the stated cost of these.

Article 7. Consumer and competition protection authority will determine the sanctions that apply for breach or violation of this law, in accordance with the law 45 of 2007. 

Article 8. The revenue collected in respect of a fine will be in a fund that will create the protection authority consumer and competition, earmarked for programs of recycling and teaching about issues relating to polluting materials. Article 9. This law will begin to rule the day of its promulgation.

Project N. 492 2017 approved in the third debate in the Palace Justo Arosemena, Panama City, on the tenth day of the month of August two thousand and seventeen year".

World’s First Health & Environment Global Treaty on Mercury Becomes International Law Wednesday, August 16th

(Göteborg, Sweden) The Minamata Convention, the world’s first legally binding global agreement to

reduce mercury pollution, becomes International law on Wednesday, August 16th, 2017. Environmental health leaders from IPEN (a global network of NGOs in over 100 countries combatting toxic pollutants) celebrate the historical global health and environmental treaty and call on world governments to take the next steps to ensure “no more Minamatas”.

The treaty, say IPEN leaders, is the beginning of the end of mercury in the global economy. But to actualize the aim of the treaty—protecting the health of current and future generations, food chains and the environment from mercury pollution— requires stronger coordinated global action. Ending mercury use and emissions at its primary sources such as small-scale gold mining, coal fired power plants and cement kilns and halting the global mercury trade are key. Identifying and remediating contaminated sites are also essential to protecting human health from the highly toxic metal.  

The Minamata Convention, the first legally binding chemical treaty in a decade, recognizes that mercury is a global threat to human health, livelihood and the environment.  Currently 74 countries have ratified the treaty, exceeding the threshold of 50 countries that allows the treaty to enter into force.

“Mercury-contaminated sites have become a slow disaster in many countries, poisoning fish stocks and making communities sick. It is not enough to ban new industrial uses. To prevent mercury devastation for new generations, we need unified guidelines so that countries can identify and control risk from these sites and clean up communities where heavy mercury loads in the environment perpetuate harm to current and future generations,” said IPEN Mercury Policy Advisor, Dr. Lee Bell.

Use of mercury in gold mining and coal fired power plants are leading causes of mercury emissions on the planet. Small scale gold mining is an extremely hazardous process that sickens miners, their families and communities. According to the United Nations Environment Program, approximately 15 million people in over  70 countries engage in artisanal small scale gold mining (ASGM) activities for their livelihood, practices that mainly use mercury. Although declining, mercury from illicit sources have been and are still being used in many illegal small-scale gold mining practices.

“The tragedy of mercury causes profound health and economic impacts in some of the most impoverished communities around the world; communities that subsist through small scale gold mining. Unless we take global action to end the international mercury trade that dumps mercury into communities near gold mining sites, we will continue to poison some of the most vulnerable and marginalized people on our planet,” said IPEN lead for ASGM and Goldman Prize Winner Yuyun Ismawati.

To protect residents from adverse health effects, countries must improve their mercury monitoring, health measures, and food advisories, and increase the capacity of health practitioners to understand and tackle issues related to mercury poisoning.

IPEN Co-Chair and Goldman Prize Winner Dr. Olga Speranskaya says, “Monitoring of mercury levels in food products must be improved. The majority of developing countries, and countries with economies in transition, do not issue recommendations to pregnant women on daily intake limits of mercury-containing food products such fish and rice, with dire consequences. Most developing countries lack limits for mercury levels in fish. Those that have established limits, often set them lower than relevant limits of developed countries, thus reducing the level of protection of their residents from the adverse health impacts of mercury.”

Just as the treaty itself emerged from the work of hundreds of NGOs around the world to raise the alarm on far-reaching mercury impacts, the NGO community is resolved to ensure the treaty is effective.

“Our community of global environmental health, justice, and human rights NGOs will continue to hold the world’s governments accountable to uphold the spirit and intent of the treaty, to encourage more countries to ratify, and to advocate for governments to take necessary actions so that this important agreement successfully protects the many millions of humans threatened by mercury,” said Pamela Miller, IPEN Co-Chair.

The historical treaty is named after the Minamata disaster in Japan in which industrial dumping of mercury into Minamata Bay killed and sickened tens of thousands of people.

Mercury exposure damages the nervous system, kidneys, and cardiovascular system. Developing organ systems, such as the fetal nervous system, are the most sensitive to the toxic effects of mercury, although nearly all organs are vulnerable. Human exposure to mercury occurs primarily through the consumption of contaminated fish and through direct contact with mercury vapor through small scale gold mining practices. Very small amounts of mercury, as little as 1 ppmmeasured in hair, has been recognized by the US EPA as a threshold above which mercury can cause brain damage in developing fetuses. New scientific literature is suggesting that mercury is even more harmful than previously understood, with negative neurological impacts noted at levels above 0.58 ppm.  

Coal fired power plants, the second greatest source of mercury contamination and a primary contributor to climate change, release atmospheric mercury which deposits into the world’s oceans and enters the food chain, accumulating in fish and burdening human health.