ANMAT and SENASA Assume Control of Argentina's Food Code

The Argentine government has implemented a significant change in food regulation by dissolving the National Food Commission (CONAL) through Decree 538/2025. The responsibilities of overseeing the Argentine Food Code (CAA) now fall to ANMAT and SENASA, two established entities in the agro-industry. This decision, made by the Javier Milei administration, was an effort to streamline processes and keep food code regulations up-to-date by reducing bureaucracy.

Arguing that the collegiate structure of the CONAL led to procedural delays, the government intends to adopt a more efficient system with ANMAT and SENASA taking charge. Responsibilities will be shared between the Ministry of Health via ANMAT and the Ministry of Economy through SENASA. The goal is to ensure that the food sector benefits from an "austere, efficient, and results-oriented" management approach that serves both producers and consumers.

This alteration impacts not only the CONAL but also adjusts the roles of various stakeholders in food regulation. While provincial authorities and Buenos Aires will remain engaged in food regulation processes, municipal involvement in the central database will be excluded, simplifying national procedures but raising local coordination questions.

The international dairy industry will closely monitor Argentina's shift. By assigning CAA updates to ANMAT and SENASA, the country anticipates a more cohesive regulatory process that aligns with international norms, potentially easing foreign trade and facilitating the introduction of dairy products in global markets.