As of October this year, the U.S. country will begin one of the phases of implementation of the new front labeling on food and non-alcoholic beverages, under the Labeling Law NOM-051 of the Ministry of Health.
One of the arguments that support the amendments to the Standard is the situation of health and welfare of citizens in the country. According to data from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2018 (to date, the latest report released), 35.6% of children between 5 and 11 years old are overweight and obese. Meanwhile, children and young people between 12 and 19 years old report 38.4%, according to the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport).
Exporters are preparing for the new regulation that will be implemented from 2020 in the U.S. market, among which is the application of a new table of nutritional data in packaged products.
Representatives of the Guatemalan Association of Exporters (Agexport) reported that both U.S. and foreign companies exporting to the U.S., must comply with new food labeling standards.
Starting June 2018 packaged products sold in the South American country must have a label warning about the high contents of sugars, sodium, saturated fats and calories.
As of December 13 all processed and packaged food and beverages to be sold in the European Union must include detailed nutritional information.
From a statement issued by PROCOMER:
In 2014 in the European Union, the European Regulation on Information and Food Labelling (Regulation 1169/2011) came into force.The standard improves labeling on all products in order to provide useful, readable and understandable information to consumers.
Companies that export food to the South American country must include a special label to identify products containing GMOs or which are derived from them.
The regulations of the decree signed in 2015 state that the deadline is 2018 so as to incorporate gradually, the new yellow label indicating if the food product contains any ingredients that have been genetically modified (GMO).
As of June 27, 2016 packaged products must have a label warning about the high levels of sugar, sodium, saturated fat and calories.
The new regulation also states that if the content of sugars, sodium, saturated fat and calories exceed the limits established by the new legislation, producers must label the container with a black symbol with white letters.
The legislation takes effect in July 2018 for food companies with sales of over $10 million a year and a year later for companies with sales of less below that amount.
Most food manufacturers will have to use the new label by July 26, 2018, but those whose food sales are less than $10 million per year will have an additional year to comply with the requirement. The FDA plans to carry out publicity and education work on the new requirements.
Nicaraguan exporters must work more on packaging and labeling, product differentiation and quality policies.
From a statement from the Association of Goods and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN):
There are at least "nineteen critical factors" that are hindering the internationalization of Nicaraguan firms, preventing them from being able to sell their products abroad.
The FDA now requires calorie information to be included on menus of restaurants, chain, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) US:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States has finalized two regulations requiring the inclusion of calorie information on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants, similar retail food establishments and vending machines with 20 or more locations, in order to offer consumers greater nutritional information on food eaten outside of the home. The regulations are a requirement of the law on Affordable Health Care and Patient Protection 2010.
Training is being provided in Guatemala on Central American Technical Regulations for companies exporting food and beverages.
From a statement issued by the Guatemalan Exporters Association:
In order to expand knowledge and provide updates on general and nutritional labeling, and food additives for the processed foods and beverages industry, among other things; the Committee on Food and Beverages at AGEXPORT with support from the Department of Food Control Regulation of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, will be holding a training Workshop on Central American Technical Regulations (RTCA by its initials in Spanish).
Snacks, natural oils and fats, clarity of labeling, focus on "Millennials" and amateur chefs.
From a statement issued by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (Procomer):
Five factors have been pointed out as playing an important role in the food industry in 2015
The market researcher Innova Market Insights noted that there are five factors which will play an important role in the food industry in 2015: clean labels, convenience for amateur chefs, marketing for millennials, snacks, and fats and good carbohydrates.
Labels including the list of ingredients on food and beverage products are now the second most important factor in purchasing decisions of consumers in Europe, after the price.
From a statement by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
The consulting firm Ingredion has conducted a study entitled The Clean Label Guide To Europe in which analysis is made of the importance of the clean label movement in Europe.
Including information on food labels relating to "added sugars", updating serving sizes and calories are some of the changes proposed.
From a statement issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA):
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is proposing an update to the Nutrition Facts labels used on most packaged food in the United States. If the proposal goes through, the following will be some of the proposed changes.
Questions and answers on the application of Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011 on food information to consumers.
Starting in December 2014 the regulation No. 1169/2011 on food information for consumers will come into effect.
On October 25, 2011, the European Parliament and the Council adopted Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on food information given to consumers (hereinafter called 'the IAC Regulation').
As part of the agreement a profile of the market has been created containing the requirements, permits and conditions for export to the Asian nation.
Nicaragua's National Assembly has adopted a Framework Cooperation Agreement between Nicaragua and South Korea. Among other things, the agreement aims to strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries improving trade and provide technical training and education to workers.