The Ecuadorian Standardization Service (INEN in Spanish) has published for public consultation 11 draft standards related to butter, milk, cream, evaporated milk, cheese, processed cheese, cream ice cream, and milk ice cream.
Day: 02/03/2026
Chile – INN publishes new standards on Food Chain Microbiology
The National Institute of Standardization (INN in Spanish) has published 2 Chilean Standards on Food Chain Microbiology.
- NCh-ISO7218:2026
Food chain microbiology – General requirements and guidance for microbiological analysis. This standard specifies the general requirements and provides guidance on microbiological analyzes. It is applicable to: — the implementation of specific horizontal or vertical standards developed by ISO/TC34/SC9 or ISO/TC34/SC5 for the detection or enumeration of microorganisms, hereinafter referred to as “specific standards”; — good laboratory practices for microbiology laboratories testing samples from the food chain; — guidance for microbiological laboratories testing samples from the food chain on the technical requirements to comply with ISO/IEC 17025. The requirements of this general standard replace those of existing specific standards. Additional instructions for analyzes using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are specified in ISO 22174. This standard is applicable to the analysis of bacteria, yeasts, and molds and, if complemented with specific guidance, can be used for parasites and viruses. It does not apply to the analysis of toxins or other metabolites (e.g., amines) of microorganisms. This standard is applicable to the microbiology of the food chain, from the primary production stage to food products and feed, including the places where food or feed production and handling take place. It is also applicable to the microbiological analysis of water when it is used in food production or considered a food according to national legislation.
- NCh3084:2026 ISO 19036:2019
Food chain microbiology – Estimation of measurement uncertainty for quantitative determinations. This standard describes the requirements and provides guidelines for the estimation and expression of measurement uncertainty (MU) associated with quantitative results in the field of food chain microbiology. It is applicable to the quantitative analysis of: — products intended for human consumption or animal feed; — environmental samples collected from the food production and handling area; — samples from the primary production stage. Normally, quantitative analyzes are performed by enumerating microorganisms using a colony counting technique. This standard is also generally applicable to other quantitative analyzes, including: — techniques based on the most probable number (MPN); — instrumental methods such as impedimetry, techniques based on adenosine triphosphate (ATP), and flow cytometry; — molecular biology methods such as those based on quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). The uncertainty estimated using this standard does not include systematic effects (bias).
Bolivia – IBNORCA publishes new drafts of Bolivian Standards on food
The Bolivian Institute of Standardization and Quality (IBNORCA in Spanish) has published a series of drafts of Bolivian Standards related to the food category.
- APNB/ISO 712-1
Cereals and cereal products – Determination of moisture content – Part 1: Reference method (Replaces and supersedes standard NB 712:2010). The document describes a routine reference method for determining the moisture content in cereals and cereal products. This document is applicable to wheat, rice (with husk, hulled and milled), barley, millet (Panicum miliaceum), rye, oats, triticale, sorghum in the form of whole grains, ground grains, semolina, or flour. The method is not applicable to corn or legumes. NOTE For the determination of moisture content in corn, see ISO Standard 6540[5]; for legumes, see ISO Standard 24557.
- APNB/ISO 712-2
Cereals and cereal products – Determination of moisture content – Part 2: Automatic drying oven method (Replaces and supersedes the NB/ISO 712:2010 standard). The document describes an automatic method to carry out the reference method (see ISO 712-1) for determining the moisture content in cereals and cereal products, using an automatic drying oven. This document is applicable to wheat, rice (with husk, husked, and milled), barley, millet (Panicum miliaceum), rye, oats, triticale, sorghum in the form of whole grains, ground grains, semolina, and flour. The method is not applicable to corn or legumes. NOTE For the determination of moisture content in corn, see ISO Standard 6540; and for legumes, see ISO Standard 24557.
- APNB/IBNORCA 325001
Non-alcoholic beverages – Requirements (Sixth revision) (Replaces and supersedes standard NB 325001:2024). This standard establishes the characteristics that non-alcoholic beverages must meet. This standard applies to all non-alcoholic beverages intended for human consumption. Non-alcoholic beverages do not include: a) juices or drinks based entirely on fruits or vegetables, sweetened or not, concentrated, frozen or thawed; b) liquid milk and dairy products including: creamless milk, yogurt, powdered milk, etc.; c) drinks based entirely on infusions, such as: tea, coffee, mate, cocoa, saffron, barks, sprouts, leaves; d) carbonated or non-carbonated table water; e) energy and hydration drinks; f) powdered soft drinks. This standard does not apply to non-alcoholic beverages that use mineral water as a raw material.
- APNB/IBNORCA 325002
Non-alcoholic beverages – Table water – Requirements (Fourth revision) (Replaces and supersedes NB 325002:2024). This standard establishes the characteristics and requirements that bottled table water, with or without gas, intended for human consumption must meet.
Mexico – The Ministry of Economy publishes the National Quality Infrastructure Program (PNIC) 2026
The Ministry of Economy, thru the Unit of Standardization, Competitiveness, and Competition via the General Directorate of Standards, informs about the publication of the National Quality Infrastructure Program (PNIC) 2026 in the Official Gazette of the Federation on February 24, 2026, in compliance with Article 29 of the Quality Infrastructure Law.
CURRENT MEXICAN OFFICIAL STANDARDS TO BE MODIFIED
- Modification to numeral 4.5.3 of the Official Mexican Standard NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, General specifications for labeling for prepackaged non-alcoholic food and beverages – Commercial and health information.
The modification of numeral 4.5.3 of NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, regarding the labeling for products that add some
element, such as fats, sodium, or sugars, and are evaluated individually, thus avoiding generating negative economic impacts negative impacts on the products that make up the various social assistance programs, considering that they are high-value foods nutritional value, due to their contribution of proteins, calcium, vitamins, and minerals.
Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-043-SSA2-2012, Basic Health Services. Promotion and education for health in the field of nutrition. Criteria for providing guidance.
According to the country’s epidemiological data, among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality are food-related diseases. Nutritional guidance based on scientific foundations and uniform criteria is fundamental to combat these problems. According to the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) 2023, 76.2% of adults in Mexico are overweight and obese, while 6.7% of children under five, 34.2% of school-aged children, 38.1% of adolescents are also in this situation. This situation represents a public health problem that requires to be addressed with education and dietary guidance strategies to modify eating habits, which can be can be achieved with updates.
OFFICIAL STANDARDS MEXICAN OFFICIAL STANDARDS TO BE MODIFIED
- Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-168-SCFI-2004, Alcoholic Beverages-Bacanora Specifications for Production, Packaging, and Labeling.
Updating the existing technical specifications and strengthening the requirements that regulate the production, packaging, and labeling of Bacanora is essential to ensure the quality, authenticity, and traceability of this traditional product from Sonora.
The modification of the standard will not only protect the integrity of Bacanora but also consolidate its positioning in various markets where differentiation and authenticity are determining factors for commercialization. This, in turn, will offer producers clear tools to improve the competitiveness of the product, increase its added value, and access more profitable market niches, thereby increasing the profitability and sustainability of their operations. Moreover, as a designation of origin, it is essential to safeguard Bacanora, protecting its identity, tradition, and recognition against imitations or improper uses.
- Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-070-SCFI-2016, Alcoholic Beverages-Mezcal-Specifications.
The modification of the Official Mexican Standard responds to the need to update the Standard to technological advancements. productive and commercial advancements that this industry has experienced. Mezcal has the Denomination of Origin Mezcal (DOM), declared by the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property in 1994, which protects its quality and unique characteristics derived from its geographical origin and the traditional knowledge of the producers.
- Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-004-SSA1-2013, Environmental Health. Limitations and sanitary specifications for the use of lead compounds.
Protect the health of the general population from the contamination of lead compounds used in numerous types of
industries and activities as an ingredient or raw material in the manufacture of: pesticides; furniture, plumbing that carries drinking water potable, glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, and porcelain, which are used to contain and process food and/or beverages.
- Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-231-SSA1-2016, Glazed pottery, glazed ceramics, porcelain, and glass articles – Maximum permissible limits of soluble lead and cadmium – Test method.
Protect the health of the general population from lead and cadmium contamination due to the use of pottery articles.
glazed, glazed ceramics, porcelain, and glassware used for containing and processing food and beverages.
- Modification to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-218-SSA1-2011, Products and Services. Non-alcoholic flavored beverages, their concentrates, concentrated products for preparing them, and beverages with added caffeine. Specifications and sanitary regulations. Test methods.
Establishment of the minimum sugar content in sports drinks, to prevent the existence of drinks solely with
electrolytes, especially with sodium, which do not rehydrate. Avoid the presence in the market of electrolyte drinks that, according to current regulations, are considered as inputs. Inclusion of specifications for non-alcoholic beverages with
content of vegetable or fruit or vegetable, when included in NOM-173-SE-2021, Juices, coconut water, nectars, non-alcoholic beverages with vegetable or fruit or vegetable content, non-alcoholic beverages with vegetable, fruit, or vegetable content and prepackaged non-alcoholic flavored beverages – Denominations – Specifications – Commercial Information and Testing Methods.
RESCHEDULED TOPICS / TOPIC TO BE DEVELOPED
- Test Methods for Nutrient Determination.
It is necessary to establish testing methods for the determination of nutrients in order to have the elements to verify compliance with nutritional specifications that non-alcoholic foods or beverages must contain in the regulations or applicable standards or the nutrient content declared on the label of non-alcoholic foods and beverages prepackaged alcoholic beverages, actions that are not possible to carry out by referring to the current health regulations
Venezuela – SECAMER publishes a draft amendment to the COVENIN Standard 2302:2025 Dehydrated mixtures for broths, soups, and creams
The Decentralized Service for Standardization, Quality, Metrology, and Technical Regulations (SENCAMER in Spanish) has published the Draft Amendment of the Venezuelan Standard COVENIN 2302:2025 Dehydrated Mixtures for Broths, Soups, and Creams. Requirements. (1st Review). This standard establishes the requirements that dehydrated mixtures must meet for the preparation of broths, soups, and creams intended for human consumption.
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