FAIRS Country Report Annual - Executive Summary and Food Laws
Report Number: MX2025-0049 Date: December 02, 2025 Country: Mexico Prepared By: USDA FAS Foreign Agricultural Service Source: [USDA GAIN Report](https://apps.fas.usda.gov/newgainapi/api/Report/DownloadReportByFileName?fileName=FAIRS+Country+Report+Annual_Monterrey+ATO_Mexico_MX2025-0049.pdf)
Executive Summary and Food Laws
Required Report: Required - Public Distribution
Date: December 02, 2025 Report Number:
MX2025-0049
Report Name: FAIRS Country Report Annual Country: Mexico Post: Monterrey ATO Report Category: FAIRS Country Report
Prepared By:
Eduardo Lozano
Approved By: Sean Cox Report Highlights: This document outlines major Mexican agricultural and food-product laws and regulations, as well as related import standards and regulations. Some products may be subject to compliance and monitoring by several different Government of Mexico (GOM) agencies. Post recommends that U.S. food and agricultural exporters work with experienced and established customs brokers and importers.
THIS REPORT CONTAINS ASSESSMENTS OF COMMODITY AND TRADE ISSUES MADE BY USDA STAFF AND NOT NECESSARILY STATEMENTS OF OFFICIAL U.S. GOVERNMENT POLICY
TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary …………………………………………………………………................2 Section I.
Food Laws ………………………………………………………………….......2
Section II.
Labeling Requirements…………………………………………………………4 A. Other Specific Labeling Requirement(s) B. Biotechnology Labeling C. Organic Labeling
Section III.
Packaging and Container Regulations………………………………………….7 A. Packaging Sustainability Measures
Section IV.
Food Additive Regulations……………………………………………………..7
Section V.
Pesticide and Contaminants…………….………………………………………8
Section VI.
Other Requirements, Regulations, and Registration Measures………………....9
Section VII.
Other Specific Standards/Laws…………………………………………………6 A. Plant-Based Meat and/or Dairy Alternatives B. SADER Import Requirements for Plants and Animals C. Novel Foods (Bioengineered) D. Organic Products E. Agricultural and Food Samples
Section VIII. Geographical Indicators, Trademarks, Brand Names, and Intellectual Property Rights………………………………………………………………………….12 Section IX.
Import Procedures…………………………………………………………......12
Section X.
Trade Facilitation………………………………………………………………13
Appendix I.
Government Regulatory Key Agency Contacts………………………………..15
Appendix II. Other Import Specialist Technical Contacts..………………………………..…16
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Executive Summary The government of Mexico has four agencies who regulate the importation of agricultural goods and products: the Secretariat of Agriculture (SADER), Secretariat of Health (SALUD), Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT), and the Secretariat of the Treasury and Public Credit (HACIENDA). The harmonized system (HS) categorization of goods and products determines which agency has regulatory responsibility. In specific cases, more than one agency may oversee product importation, which customs brokers must include in the required documentation charge. Currently there are no major changes to the laws since the 2024 annual report. However, the reader should be cognizant of the following: 1) due to an outbreak of New World screwworm (NWS) SADER triggered Mexico´s National Animal Health Emergency Devise (DINESA) the corresponding agreement was published on January 23, 2025, in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF). 2) phase II of the regulation for Processed Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages-Commercial and Sanitary Information (NOM-051) ends on September 30, 2025, and the implementation of phase III was extended to January 1, 2028. Additional details can be found in Section II - Labeling Requirements of this report. 3) on February 4, 2025, the Mexican Secretariat of Economy published an agreement annulling several provisions related to genetically modified corn. Under this agreement, Mexico's government lifted its restriction on imports of genetically modified corn for human consumption. For details, please read Section VII. - C. Novel Foods (Bioengineered). Section I. Food Laws The General Directorate for Standards (Dirección General de Normas) of the Mexican Secretariat of Economy (ECONOMÍA) is responsible for coordinating the standardization and conformity assessment system. The provisions fall under the Quality Infrastructure Law. The Law defines the Mexican Secretariats and GOM agencies required to develop standards or Normas Oficiales Mexicanas (NOMs). NOMs are technical regulations which contain information on the requirements, specifications, procedures, and methodologies designed to protect the welfare of residents, animals, plants, and the environment. GOM agencies must revise NOMs at least every five years. Whenever NOMs are amended and/or are withdrawn, this information must be published in the Diario Oficial de la Federación (DOF) equivalent to the U.S. Federal Register. Electronic versions of current NOMs are available in Mexico's Comprehensive Standards and Conformity Assessment System (SINEC). Import laws applicable to agricultural and food products are included under the General Health Law, the Federal Animal Health Law, and the Federal Law for Plant Health. The General Law on Sustainable Forestry Development regulates importing forest products and by-products into Mexico. General Health Law: The Secretariat of Health (SALUD), through its operating arm, the Federal Commission for Protection against Sanitary Risks (COFEPRIS), implements and enforces sanitary regulations to protect the population against health risks. Based on health risks, COFEPRIS determines if imported food products require an import permit, which the importer
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must apply for in advance. COFEPRIS randomly inspects food products at the point of sale, verifying compliance with food labeling regulations, as well as conducting product samples to guarantee wholesomeness for human consumption. Products which require import permits include dairy and dairy products, seafood and seafood products, and some dietary products. The latest list of products requiring import-permits by SALUD is the one published on September 9, 2022, in the DOF "Products Subjected to Sanitary Compliance by SALUD."
Source
USDA GAIN (Global Agricultural Information Network) Original source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
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*Last updated: 2026-07-18*