Colombia – The Ministry of Health has released for public consultation the health requirements that must be met by treated bottled drinking water and ice intended for human consumption

The Ministry of Health and Social Protection has released a draft resolution concerning the sanitary requirements for treated bottled drinking water and ice intended for human consumption within the national territory. The purpose of this resolution is to establish the sanitary standards that must be met by treated bottled drinking water and ice produced, processed, packaged, stored, transported, imported, distributed, and sold in the country, ensuring their safety to protect human health and prevent potential harm.

Colombia – INVIMA announces a call for applications from laboratories specializing in the analysis of meat products

The National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA in Spanish) has announced the opening of a new call for applications for laboratories interested in conducting parasitological analyses of pork and horse meat. This initiative aims to engage laboratories for the performance of these critical analyses.

This specific call is targeted at qualified laboratories capable of identifying parasites such as Trichinella spp., which may be found in mammals like pigs and horses, posing potential health risks to humans.

“The detection of such parasites in meat is crucial, as they can have serious implications for human health,” stated Alexander Díaz Robayo, coordinator of the Technical Group for Epidemiological Surveillance of Food and Beverages at INVIMA.

Argentina – Amendment to the Food Code to include new food enzymes

Through Joint Resolution 7/2025, the Secretariat of Health Management and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries have issued an amendment to the Food Code to include new food enzymes.

ARTICLE 1. – The following enzymes are added to the table in Article 1263 of Chapter XVI “Correctives and Adjuvants” of the Argentine Food Code:

“IUPAC No.: EC 3.4.16.6

Enzyme Name: Carboxypeptidase D

Source: Aspergillus oryzae expressed in Aspergillus oryzae

IUPAC No.: EC 3.4.11.1

Enzyme Name: Aminopeptidase

Source: Aspergillus oryzae expressed in Aspergillus oryzae”

Argentina – Amendment to the Food Code to include Chile Ají and Habanero Pepper

Through Joint Resolution 8/2025, the Secretariat of Health Management and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries have issued an amendment to the Food Code to include Ají Pepper and Habanero Pepper.

ARTICLE 1.- The following are added to the table in Article 822 of CHAPTER XI VEGETABLE FOODS of the Argentine Food Code, under the title “FRUIT VEGETABLES”:
“Common category and name: Alcaparrón
Taxonomic name: Capparis spinosa L.
Common category and name: Ají Pepper
Taxonomic name: Capsicum baccatum
Common category and name: Habanero Pepper
Taxonomic name: Capsicum chinense”

Peru – Ministry of Health publishes draft Sanitary Standard for food transportation

Through Ministerial Resolution No. 229-2025-MINSA, the Ministry of Health has published the draft Sanitary Standard for food transportation.

The Sanitary Standard, if approved, would be of mandatory application at national level, and includes natural and legal persons, public and private, involved in the transportation of industrialized and processed food, as follows:

– Transportation of food intended for distribution establishments (warehouses) and commercialization (markets, warehouses, restaurants and similar, self-service and convenience stores, among others);

– Transportation of processed food intended for collective food services operating in health establishments, food programs, civil organizations, school canteens, companies, factories, among others.

– Transport of industrialized food to large containers, for the food industry and fractionation.

– Delivery of food (called “delivery”) from processing and marketing establishments to final consumption.