FAIRS Country Report Annual - Labeling Requirements
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)
Labeling Requirements
Section II. Labeling Requirements Product labeling requirements for pre-packed foods, non-alcoholic beverages, consumer-ready products, raw materials not destined for the final consumer, and bulk merchandise for sale is regulated under the Processed Foods and Non-Alcoholic Beverages-Commercial and Sanitary Information (NOM-051). NOM-051 entered into force on January 1, 2011, and was last amended on March 27, 2020. NOM-051 is jointly enforced by the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO), part of the Ministry of Economy, and by COFEPRIS. Mexican importers and customs brokers responsible for clearing products must ensure that products adhere to NOM051. U.S. exporters should communicate closely with their Mexican importer regarding proper labeling and related requirements.
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The original label in English may remain on the package if an additional one in Spanish is affixed. In other words, adhesive tags/stickers with information in Spanish are permitted if they remain adhered to the package until product reaches the end consumer. In addition, if the labels contain more than one language, Spanish content must be in a font size equal to or larger than those used for other languages. When a U.S. nutrition panel appears on the package, a second panel must be in Spanish, affixed over the U.S. nutrition panel. Mandatory labeling requirements under NOM-051-SCFI-2010 include: Product Name/Product Description Brand Name Exporter's name and address Country of origin (Producto de EE.UU.) Importer's name, address, and RFC number (taxation number) List of Ingredients Net Content/Drained Mass Manufacturer and Importer's Information Batch Number Expiration Date: According to Codex General Standard for the Labeling of Prepackaged Foods, approved dating systems DD/MM/YY or MM/DD/YY Nutritional Information Products Sold in Multiple Packages: The information in NOM-051 indicates that the data's location on the outer package, except for the batch number and the expiration date, displaying it on each package. The individual package must include the statement "Not Labeled for Individual Sale." On October 1, 2019, Mexico's Lower Chamber amended the General Health Law pertaining to obesity and labeling of food and non-alcoholic related issues, including modifications to NOM051-SCFI-/Salud1-2010 (NOM-051). The second phase of this regulation ends on September 30,
- Fulfillment of the third final phase is to be verified as of October 1, 2025.
Assessment Phases for the Front Labeling System Phase I: from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2023. Phase II: from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2025. Phase III: comes into force on January 1, 2028. This phase stipulates full compliance of the calculation and assessment of additional nutrient content set in section 4.5.3 and Table 6 (Complementary Nutrient Content Statement) in NOM-051. Phase III establishes full implementation of criteria for the evaluation of ingredients such as free sugars, saturated and trans fats, and sodium in prepackaged foods and beverages. It is mandatory for companies to accurately measure these ingredients and ensure compliance with the limits and values established in NOM-051. For the complete framework of modifications to NOM-051 please visit USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service database and read the 2023-FAIRS Annual Country Report Annual. Alcoholic beverages health and commercial labeling and health specifications, regulations are stated in the Mexican Official Standard NOM-142-SSA1/SCFI-2014. Under the norm, alcoholic beverage labeling must provide accurate and clear information about the product's contents,
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origin, and characteristics, as well as warnings and health risks. This standard intends to protect consumers and is mandatory for manufacturers and importers of alcoholic beverages marketed in Mexico. Mandatory labeling requirements under NOM-142-SSA1/SCFI-2014 include: Name/Generic Name and Trademark of Product Exporter's name and address Importer's name, address, and RFC number (taxation number) Country of origin (Producto de EE.UU.) Lot identification Preferred consumption date Alcohol content [percent alcohol by volume at 293 K (20 °C)], with the following abbreviations: % Alc. Vol.; % Alc Vol; % alc. vol.; % alc vol List of ingredients Alcoholic beverage labels are required to display the warning “ABUSE OF THIS PRODUCT IS HARMFUL FOR YOUR HEALTH.” A. Other Specific Labeling Requirement(s) On March 23, 2011, the Secretariat of Economy published a labeling assessment for food and agricultural products shipped and commercialized in the 20-kilometer border area, verifying compliance with NOM-051-2010. U.S. exporters may find this assessment beneficial when shipping products to those areas. Bulk shipments requiring labeling apply to products where work plans were developed through a pest risk analysis and agreed between APHIS and SENASICA. A clear example includes stone fruit transported in large containers (e.g., one-ton combo bins). Labels for these products must contain the following information: product's name, country of origin, name, and address of the facility from where it originated, exporter name, and net weight or number of units (e.g., individual pieces of fruit) in the full shipment. This quantity should correspond to the amount listed on the APHIS phytosanitary export certificate. B. Biotechnology Labeling The Law on Biosecurity of Genetically Modified Organisms does not require the labeling of packaged foods or feeds, to be equivalent to the conventionally produced commodities, but compulsory for planting seeds. Labeling information should include a statement that the planting seeds derive from genetically engineered organisms, the genetic characteristics, implications concerning special conditions and requirements, and changes in reproductive and productive features. On April 17, 2024, the General Law on Adequate and Sustainable Food was published in the DOF. Article 21 of the Law requires the labeling of products containing ingredients derived directly from genetically modified organisms (GMOs). In December 2014, the Mexican Official Norm (NOM-001-SAG/BIO-2014) was published in the DOF and came to effect in June 2015. This NOM establishes mandatory labeling standards for genetically engineered seeds and propagation material intended for agricultural use or
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environmental release. Please read (NOM-001-SAG/BIO-2014) for details on information to be displayed on labels for engineered seeds. C. Organic Labeling U.S. organic products exported to Mexico must be labeled according to Mexico organic labeling requirements. These products may display the USDA organic seal if they are certified to the USDA organic regulations and/or the Mexico organic seal as long as they are certified to Mexico’s LPO. For labeling purposes, the terms "organic," "ecological," "biological," and prefixes like "bio" and "eco" are all considered synonyms under Mexico’s LOP. To learn more on how to meet the requirements of the law, and to review the manual on graphic identity for the national organic products seal, please visit SENASICA's web site.
Source
USDA GAIN (Global Agricultural Information Network) Original source: USDA Foreign Agricultural Service
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*Last updated: 2026-07-18*