This week, the legislators of the Government and Administration Commission approved a bill that aims to reform the definition of the basic basket.
The initiative seeks that the basic basket is made up of all the food groups that guarantee a balanced and healthy diet, as well as cleaning products, personal hygiene products and school supplies. It also states that the list of products included in the basic basket will be reviewed at least every five years.
This is the criteria that should be considered:
-Minimum food for subsistence.
-Nutritional criteria for a balanced diet.
-Statistics and trends of consumption of families in poverty.
-Consumer rights
The proposal also seeks to reform an article of the Law on Strengthening Public Finance so that the ministries of Economy, Industry and Commerce (MEIC) and Finance determine the basic basket, and the technical criteria for that purpose.
In addition, the MEIC would have the obligation to consult the basic basket proposal with the Ministry of Health, Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social (CCSS), College of Professionals in Nutrition, National Institute of Statistics and Census (INEC), consumer organizations and universities, according to the independent legislator Jonathan Prendas, proponent of the initiative.
The bill will be submitted to the Legislative Plenary for discussion and voting.