VTZ informs new developments and details regarding the overhaul of food and non-alcoholic labeling that includes several Frontal Warning Labels.

On October 11th, 2019, the Project to amend the mandatory Mexican Official Standard (or “NOM” for its acronym in Spanish) applicable to most prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages labeling was published. Known as NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1 (herein referred to as “NOM-051”), this NOM provides definitions, precautionary legends, prohibitions and other mandatory rules regarding the format, requirements, and content of most food and non-alcoholic beverage labels.

Although in principle the NOM-51 does not apply to prepackaged food and non-alcoholic beverages that are subject to a specific NOM, it is expected that the specific NOMs will be modified once the amendment to NOM-51 is approved.

A. Highlights of the Proposed Amendments to NOM-51

1. Frontal Warning Labels and Precautionary Legends​

The new scheme for frontal warning labels is the most significant amendment of the NOM-051. The new and proposed Frontal Warning Labeling scheme is based on critical nutrients and nutritional profiles. In essence, the amendment project to NOM-51 establishes limits to (1) calories (2) free sugars, (3) saturated fats, (4) trans fats, and (5) sodium that determine when the following Frontal Warning Labels must be used in the packages. The Frontal Warning Labels are the following (to see the designs, visit the news section of our website):

  • ​Excess of Calories
  • Excess of Sugars
  • Excess of Saturated Fats
  • Excess of Trans Fats
  • Excess of Sodium

If a food product or non-alcoholic beverage manufacturing company intends to avoid having the “Excess of Sugars” warning by using synthetic or natural sweeteners, non-caloric or polyalcohol as ingredients, the proposed amendments to NOM-51 orders that products containing such sweeteners will have the Frontal Warning Label "Contains Sweeteners Avoid in Children".

The definition of sweetener is not clear in the amendment project to NOM-51. However, one interpretation is that honey, corn syrup, agave syrup and alike may be considered as a sweetener.  


If a given product contains caffeine, the precautionary legend “CONTAINS CAFFEINE, AVOID IN CHILDREN” must be inserted in the package. All legends, of course, must be written down in Spanish.



2. Marketing Limitations in Labels and/or packages

If a food product and non-alcoholic beverage product exceeds the nutritional limits from Table 1, the amendment project to NOM-051 bans any text or design that refers to a recommendation or approval made by a professional organization. Also, if a product is not required to have a Frontal Warning Label, the package must not inform in any form that the product is exempt from the said label.

Also, the amendment project to NOM-051 provides that it is prohibited for products containing a Frontal Warning Label to use characters, drawings, celebrities, gifts, promotions, toys or contests, discounted price, extra-content, perception games, and even to advertise on social networks. This proposed rule poses a serious constitutional question since it would prohibit the use of figurative trademarks in food and non-alcoholic beverage packages.

 3. New Definitions and their implications: Added Sugars, and genuine and substitute products

The amendment project introduces new definitions of ingredients that will impact labels throughout the food industry. For instance, the concept added sugars is not defined under the current NOM-051’s version and, therefore, the said concept is not required to be listed in the nutrition information panel. If the proposed amendments are adopted, nutrition information panels will be required to report “sugars” as well as “added sugars”.

The amendment project to NOM-051 also defines genuine and substitute products and their specific labeling rules. A genuine product is a product that complies with ingredients, processes or physicochemical specifications and/or requirements established in a Mexican Official Standard (NOM) or Mexican Standard (NMX, acronym in Spanish), meanwhile, a substitute product is a product that seeks to resemble a genuine product. We highlight that a substitute product is required to insert a design or legend.

4. Other Changes and Relevant Aspects

The amendment project to NOM-051 introduces other relevant changes, for instance, (i) ingredient lists and listing, (ii) labeling of the product’s name in the package, (iii) declaration of special or superior nutritional properties, (iv) nutritious and healthy declarations, (v) physical characteristics and dimensions of the Frontal Warning Labels and Precautionary Legends.

B. Submit Comments

Companies and business chambers can submit comments to the Standardizing National Advisory Committee of the Mexican Ministry of Economy within the 60 calendar days, i.e. December 10th, 2019. According to our food expert, the proposed amendments will impact most, if not all, processed food products.

If you are interested in receiving more information or submitting comments, VTZ is at your disposal to clarify any additional questions or comments.