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.
Under the new regulations, the statement "gluten free" may be used only when the food sold to the final consumer contains not more than 20 mg / kg.
From a statement issued by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (Procomer):
The European Commission has issued Regulation No. 828/2014 to regulate the terms "gluten free" and "very low gluten" which so far have been regulsated by Regulation No.
The race to win the favor of consumers forces companies to differentiate their products with attractive and value added packaging.
From an article published by the Foreign Trade Promotion Office of Costa Rica (PROCOMER):
Growing demand for value-added packaging
According to Kevin Curran, managing director of Tri-Star Packaging, a leader in the development of food packaging, because more and more people eat food while riding in their car, on the train or walking, demand has grown for packaging which facilitates its consumption, while maintaining freshness and appeal to the consumer, taking into account the demands that arise when looking at the sustainability of these products, be they made out of paper, cardboard, recycled plastic or natural fibers.
Packaged foods that are exported to the South American country must indicate levels of sugar, salt and fat.
The advertising of packaged foods containing high levels of sugar, salt or fat must contain the message "Eating healthy and exercising is good for your health." The new regulation applies to products manufactured in Chile and imported ones.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Nutritional labels on food exported to Mexico detailing sugar, fat and salt on exports to Ecuador are part of the changes.
The Association of Producers and Exporters of Nicaragua (APEN) confirmed that from this and next year Mexico and Ecuador will implement new labeling rules for foods and beverages. Exporters will have to take into account those rules if they want to place their products in those markets.
Of the 703 products surveyed by the Consumer Ombudsman in El Salvador 75% do not meet the standards set by the law.
This was announced by the chief of the institution, Yanci Urbina, during the first national Codex Alimentarius congress. Some 3,123 products were submitted to analysis, 457 were submitted for safety and 69% breached at least one technical standard or standard under the Consumer Protection Act.
Fishery and aquaculture products are to have specific rules on labeling, which will apply to both locals and imported foods.
From an article by the Costa Rican Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
The 27 member states and the European Parliament (EP) have reached an agreement on the implementation of a Common Market Organization for fishery and aquaculture products (CMO), which includes specific rules that in regards to labeling local and imported products.
The United States Food and Drug Administration has rejected 18 products from Honduras because they were not properly labelled or they fail to comply with phytosanitary requirements.
Robert Armstrong, a U.S. embassy official in Honduras, said the products with entry problems represent a small proportion of the total trade with this country, which has been growing by 20 percent per year.