Mexico reinstates labeling exemption for foodservice products, facilitating US exports

Two weeks ago, the US potato industry was informed that Mexico rescinded its new front of pack labeling regulation, reinstating the exemption for foodservice products, according to information published in the latest Eye on DC email newsletter from the National Potato Council (NPC).

It is said that as a result, processed potato products destined for foodservice outlets should once again be exempt from the NOM-051 labeling requirements. The announcement from Mexico was welcomed by NPC and the U.S. potato industry, which worked closely with the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) as it negotiated a resolution to Mexico's unexpected and last-minute change to its front of pack nutritional labeling regulation.

Kam Quarles, NPC CEO:

“The U.S. potato industry is grateful to the officials at USTR and the U.S. Embassy in Mexico for their attention and assistance in resolving this matter that presented problems for a great number of U.S. ag exporters

There was no value in requiring consumer labels on product that no consumer will ever see, and we welcome the rapid efforts to reinstate this exemption.”