Amendment to the General Health Law concerning Front Labeling Warnings for prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages will become into force, as per its publication in the Official Federal Gazette today

The referred amendment main purpose is to establish new provisions and guidelines regarding those legends, pictograms and warning symbols that the labeling of prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages shall contain in case these products exceed maximum levels of (i) energetic content, (ii) added sugars, (iii) saturated fats, (iv) fats, (v) sodium, and (vi) critical nutrients and ingredients as determined by the Ministry of Health.

Critical nutrients are defined as those that deemed to represent a risk factor for chronic diseases.

The referred amendment to the General Health Law will become into force on November 9, 2019. The Executive Power shall adopt those necessary changes to the regulatory framework (e.g., Regulations, Mexican Official Standards, etc.) by no later than May 6, 2020.

As part of the related regulatory modifications, the draft amendment of Mexican Official Standard NOM-051-SCFI-SSA1-2010, General labeling specifications for prepackaged food products and non-alcoholic beverages-Commercial and sanitary information, was published in the FOG on October 11, 2019. To this end, any interested party is allowed to formally file comments regarding the relevant new labeling requirements for prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages. The deadline for submitting comments is December 10, 2019.

The Regulatory team at Hogan Lovells is ready to assist you and clarify any questions you have on this matter.

Authored by Ernesto Algaba and Cecilia Stahlhut.