ESHA’s Genesis R&D Software Introduces 2020 Mexico Nutrition Facts Labels and Front-of-Package Regulations
Genesis R&D Version 11.9 Includes Updated Front-of-Package Warning Seals and Statements, New Nutrition Label Formats, and More for Compliance with Mexico's Food Labeling Regulations
Today ESHA Research announced an important software update to the Genesis R&D® Food Formulation & Labeling software.
The latest version of Genesis R&D incorporates the new Nutrition Facts labeling layout, redesigned Front-of-Package warning seals, updates to the ingredient and allergen statements, and other changes outlined in the 2020 Mexico labeling regulations.
“This update is an extensive one for food manufacturers who sell products in Mexico,” Craig Bennett, CEO of ESHA, said. “A lot changed in a very short time. Our regulatory and software development teams have worked hard to implement the new regulations in Genesis R&D and as a result, we are able to release the new features to our customers at the beginning of Phase 1.”
Compliance will the 2020 regulations will be rolled out in three implementation phases:
- Phase 1: Nov. 30, 2020 – Sept. 30, 2023
- Phase 2: Oct. 1, 2023 – Sept. 30, 2025
- Phase 3: On and after Oct. 1, 2025
Starting Nov. 30, 2020, manufacturers must include the new Front-of-Package warning seals and statements on all product packaging. The seals are designed to warn consumers when a food product exceeds the recommended intake thresholds for Energy (kcal), Sugars, Saturated Fats, Trans Fats, and/or Sodium. The warning statements are designed to alert consumers when a product contains caffeine and sweeteners, which are not recommended for children.
In Genesis R&D, when the criteria for these seals and statements are met, the program will automatically display them on the nutrition label screen. From there, users will be able to output high-resolution vector files of the warning images.
By April 1, 2021, the updated Nutrition Facts labels, ingredient statements, allergen statements, and the Front-of-Package symbols and statements must be implemented on all product packaging.
Other updates in this version include two new mandatory nutrients (Added Sugars and Trans fat), which must appear on the Nutrition Facts panel, and grouping sugars in the ingredient statement.
To help with compliance, Genesis R&D offers four Nutrition Facts label templates that reflect the updated regulations. Label formats include Standard, Linear, Dual Column Per Serving, and Dual Column Per Container.
Free Webinar
ESHA Research and Rosemarie Sunderland, certifed food scientist and the President of Thrive4Life, will be co-hosting a free webinar covering the regulation changes in depth. Sunderland is an expert in U.S. and Mexico food labeling and product development regulations for the food, cosmetic, and drug industry.
The webinar, Complying with Mexico’s New Front-of-Package & Nutrition Labeling Regulations, will be held on December 9, 2020. Anyone interested can register for the webinar by visiting the ESHA Research website.
About Mexico Labeling Regulations
On March 27, 2020, Mexico made several amendments to its food labeling regulations (Norma Official Mexicana NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010). These revisions included changes to the Nutrition Facts label, ingredient statement and allergen statement as well as an overhaul of the Front-of-Package requirements — how they look, and what information is conveyed. The regulations will be rolled out in three implementation phases.
About Genesis R&D
Genesis R&D Food Analysis and Labeling Software assists users in all aspects of food-product development, including the virtual creation of food, automatic generation of camera-ready nutrition facts panels, and compliance with government regulations in the U.S., EU, Canada, and Mexico.
About ESHA Research
ESHA’s family of nutritional software products, services, and databases are recognized as the industry’s top choice for recipe and supplement development, labeling, nutritional analysis, and regulatory compliance. Their software programs and databases have been used all over the world, by food manufacturers, educational facilities, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and other industry institutions. In addition, ESHA Research offers software and regulatory-compliance consulting and label-generation services.