Panama’s National Assembly has passed a law creating prison sentences for importing food without proper health permits. The legislation, known as Bill 152, was approved in a third and final debate on January 8 and now awaits presidential action. It aims to protect public health and the national agricultural economy from unsafe and illegally imported products.
The bill adds a new chapter on crimes against food security to Panama’s existing Penal Code. Its core provision establishes prison terms of six to eight years for anyone who brings plant or animal-based food products into the country without the required sanitary permits from competent authorities. Officials framed the law as a necessary shield for consumers and local farmers.
“This initiative is not aimed at contraband as a customs crime, but at the introduction and marketing of food without the required phytosanitary and safety permits,” clarified legislators during debates. [Translated from Spanish]
The law’s immediate impact will be a stronger legal framework for border inspections and market controls. Authorities from the health and agricultural ministries are expected to receive enhanced mandates to intercept and prosecute illegal shipments. The focus will be on products entering without a valid phytosanitary certificate or other mandatory safety documentation.
Three Pillars of Food Security Defense
Legislative documents show the law rests on three fundamental objectives. First, it seeks to protect the economic activity and jobs generated by national agricultural production. Second, it aims to defend crops and livestock from pests and diseases that could enter the country through illegal products. The third pillar is the protection of public health from violations of food safety standards.
Debates within the National Assembly of Panama revealed specific concerns about goods arriving from neighboring countries like Costa Rica. Lawmakers argued such unchecked imports risk consumer health and undermine local producers who follow strict national rules. The law intends to secure the entire agri-food chain, from fields and farms directly to the consumer’s table.
“The central objective of the project is to protect the population, the national producer, and the entire agri-food chain,” stated the legislative report on the bill. [Translated from Spanish]
This legislative push responds to persistent complaints about the sale of products with dubious origins. These items often bypass all safety checks, posing a dual threat to health and the local economy. The new penalties provide a tool for prosecutors to target commercial-scale illegal import operations, not individual travelers with small quantities.
Path to Presidential Decision
With its passage in the Assembly, the bill now moves to the desk of President José Raúl Mulino. He can either sanction it into law or exercise a veto. Observers expect a decision within the coming weeks given the legislation’s priority status for the agricultural sector.
Proponents argue the law fills a critical gap. While regulations on import permits already existed, the penal code lacked specific, strong punishments for violations that endanger food security. The six-to-eight-year sentence creates a significant deterrent aligned with the serious potential consequences of introducing pests or contaminated food.
Implementation will require coordination between customs, agricultural health, and public safety agencies. Training for inspectors and clear guidelines for enforcement will be the next steps if the president signs the bill. The law marks Panama’s latest effort to tighten control over its borders and food supply, prioritizing regulatory compliance and consumer safety above all else.