Edward Murillo
Newspaper La Jornada
Friday, October 14, 2022, p. 14
The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN) will review the protections promoted by companies such as Nutrisa, McCormick, Del Fuerte and Herdez against the new labeling for industrialized foods, which requires them to warn of excess fats, dyes, sugars or carbohydrates that contain their products. Businessmen argue that putting up these labels violates their human rights.
These are the amparos under review 465/2022 and 358/2022, where the complainants challenge the reforms to the official Mexican standard NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, in force since 2020, and for this they argue violation of the human rights contained in the first and fifth articles of the Constitution
.
They point out that the current labeling regulations violate their right to work and non-discrimination.
The reforms to the NOM were published on March 27, 2020 so that consumers can make informed decisions when choosing food and pre-packaged alcoholic beverages
.
In the recitals of these reforms, the Ministry of Economy explained that clearly offering information on the possibly harmful elements contained in these products is in accordance with the provisions of the General Health Law to combat overweight and obesity.
The analysis of these amparos was entrusted to Minister Yasmín Esquivel Mossa.
In 2019, the SCJN rejected an injunction from El Poder del Consumidor against the labeling regulations in force at that time, and whose review gave rise to the NOM now challenged by the processed food industry.