Summary:
This administrative regulation NOM-51 (in Spanish, "Norma Oficial Mexicana") sets forth the commercial and health information requirements for the labeling of pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages.
Description:
NOM-51 foreseens relevant labeling requirements. For the purposes of FULL, some of the most importante are the following:
- Information must be truthful and described and presented in such a way that it does not confuse the consumers regarding the nature or characteristics of the product (Article 4.1.1);
- It is mandatory to include a list of ingredients (Article 4.2.2.1);
- It is mandatory to include information regarding the nutritional qualities of the product, such as calories, proteins, fats, carbohydrates, fibres, sodium (Article 4.2.8.2.1);
- It is prohibited to use of false and misleading claims. This prohibition includes claims related to the prevention and treatment of a disease (Article 6.1.1.);
- Nutritional and healthy claims must comply with the mandatory declaration of nutrients (Article 6.3).
- It is prohibited to use health claims related to the decrease or reduction of the risk of disease (Article 6.3.4).
NOM-51 has been substantively modified first in 2014 and in 2020 to mandate the adoption of front-of-pack nutritional labeling (FOPL). Its implementation relies on the Federal Consumer Protection Agency [Procuraduría Federal del Consumidor – PROFECO] and the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks [Comisión Federal para la Protección contra Riesgos Sanitarios]. The Federal Law on Consumer Protection and the General Health Law, respectively, describe the authority of these agencies.