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Mexico | New Definition Of Ham | A new regulation on ham scheduled to come in...

Published: Oct 21, 2003

Mexico

New Definition Of Ham

A new regulation on ham scheduled to come into effect on December 12, 2003, may be postponed until February. Mexican meat processors told government officials that the required changes to labels present logistical problems that may be impossible to resolve by mid-December, especially concerning existing inventories.

As it stands, however, the new regulation (NOM.158.SCFI.2003) requires that ham labeling must include the following in Spanish:

  • Protein and fat content
  • Whether it is totally or primarily (at least 55 percent) made out of turkey or pork
  • Other ingredients
  • Expiration date
  • Proper identification including address of manufacturer
  • Lot number
  • Brand
  • Kg/gr content
  • Country of origin
  • RDA
  • Refrigeration instructions

The objective of new regulation is to establish the commercial classifications of the different types of ham that are sold in Mexico.  It also establishes physical-chemical, microbiological and organoleptic specifications that these products must have, and the test methods to demonstrate compliance and commercial information that their packaging must contain. For More Information, contact the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Mexico at AgMexico@usda.govor by fax, 011-52-55-5080-2776.

Mexico

New Definition Of Ham

A new regulation on ham scheduled to come into effect on December 12, 2003, may be postponed until February. Mexican meat processors told government officials that the required changes to labels present logistical problems that may be impossible to resolve by mid-December, especially concerning existing inventories.

As it stands, however, the new regulation (NOM.158.SCFI.2003) requires that ham labeling must include the following in Spanish:

  • Protein and fat content
  • Whether it is totally or primarily (at least 55 percent) made out of turkey or pork
  • Other ingredients
  • Expiration date
  • Proper identification including address of manufacturer
  • Lot number
  • Brand
  • Kg/gr content
  • Country of origin
  • RDA
  • Refrigeration instructions

The objective of new regulation is to establish the commercial classifications of the different types of ham that are sold in Mexico.  It also establishes physical-chemical, microbiological and organoleptic specifications that these products must have, and the test methods to demonstrate compliance and commercial information that their packaging must contain. For More Information, contact the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Mexico at AgMexico@usda.govor by fax, 011-52-55-5080-2776.