Cofepris supports food labeling

The Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) recognized the decision of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) to reiterate the constitutionality of the provisions that regulate the front labeling for prepackaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages. This is to indicate products that exceed the maximum limits of energy content, added sugars, saturated fats, sodium and other critical nutrients and ingredients.

The plenary session of the highest court in the country determined that front labeling fulfills a constitutionally valid purpose, by inhibiting or discouraging the consumption of certain foods to avoid chronic non-communicable diseases; make effective the right to nutritious, sufficient and quality food, as well as protect the population’s right to health.

Likewise, it established that this measure does not violate the principles of equality, non-discrimination and equity, since it does not favor other sectors, industries and commercial products, since processed and ultra-processed products are not equal to food and non-alcoholic beverages sold in bulk and packaged at the point of sale.

Cofepris noted that labeling for prepackaged foods and non-alcoholic beverages of national or foreign manufacture that are marketed in Mexico is mandatory in accordance with NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, responsible for establishing the commercial and health information that must be established. contain said products.

It has been documented that excessive consumption of sodium, sugars and saturated or trans fats, which are most frequently found in ultra-processed products, is linked to the development of overweight, obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which contribute more than 70 percent of deaths in adults in Mexico.

The federal agency indicated that the conditions described are complex and multi-causal, and that they are mainly related to unfavorable changes in the environment, such as greater availability and accessibility to industrialized products.