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This paper analyses some aspects of the trajectory of the Argentinian physician and sociologist Juan César García (1932-1984) in the field of Latin American Social Medicine. Three dimensions constituting his basic orientations are highlighted: the elaboration of systematic and reflective social thought; a critical attitude in questioning teaching and professional practices; a commitment to the institutionalization and dissemination of health knowledge.

A number of preparations of natural colours from vegetable, insect and algae sources are presently used in various foods, although many of them have not been evaluated in relation to their safety of use. In evaluating the toxicity of food additives the concept of the Acceptable Daily Intake (ADI) has been used to provide an indication of safety for use and to enable regulatory authorities to take adequate legislative measures for their control. This paper will focus on the principles for the safety assessment of food additives, with emphasis on the guidelines that have been established by the Joint Expert Committee on Food Additives and Contaminants (JECFA) for evaluating natural food colours. Recent data on the potential intake of annato extracts in Brazil and current aspects of regulation of food colours at the level of MERCOSUR will also be presented.

This paper analyzes contents of Argentine immigration laws in different periods of Argentine history and refers those contents to the State which enforced the corresponding immigration policies and to the socioeconomic structure they support. The Argentine constitution (1852) and subsequent immigration laws define 2 principal guidelines in population and immigration policies: 1) from 1852 until 1955 immigrants are seen as a part of socioeconomic growth, and 2) after 1955 the theory of national security prevails over considerations of an economic nature. With the return to democracy it should be possible to redefine immigration policies considering the country's demographic requirements and the migrants' own needs.