NOM-051 Labeling: Complete Guide for Importers to Mexico in 2026

NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010 is Mexico's official standard governing labeling requirements for pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages. If you import food products into Mexico, compliance is mandatory — without proper labeling, your goods will be held at customs. The standard requires octagonal warning seals for excess calories, sodium, trans fats, saturated fats, and sugars, plus precautionary legends about caffeine and sweeteners for products marketed to children.

What Does NOM-051 Regulate?

NOM-051 governs the commercial and health information that must appear on the label of any pre-packaged food or non-alcoholic beverage sold in Mexico, including both domestic and imported products. The standard was significantly amended in 2020 to incorporate the front-of-pack warning labeling system, which rolled out in three phases: Phase 1 in October 2020, Phase 2 in October 2023, and Phase 3 (the final and currently active phase) since October 2025.

The 5 Octagonal Warning Seals

The front-of-pack system uses black octagonal seals that warn consumers when a product exceeds critical nutrient thresholds defined in the standard's nutrient profile. The five seals are:

• EXCESS CALORIES — Applies when the product exceeds 275 kcal per 100 g (solids) or 70 kcal per 100 ml (liquids).
• EXCESS SODIUM — When it exceeds 350 mg per 100 g (solids) or 45 mg per 100 ml (liquids).
• EXCESS TRANS FATS — When the product contains any added trans fats (Phase 3 limit: 1% of total energy).
• EXCESS SATURATED FATS — When more than 10% of total energy comes from saturated fats.
• EXCESS SUGARS — When more than 10% of total energy comes from free sugars.

Additional Precautionary Legends

Beyond the seals, NOM-051 requires two precautionary legends on the upper-right portion of the package when applicable: 'CONTAINS CAFFEINE, AVOID IN CHILDREN' for products with more than 70 mg of caffeine per liter, and 'CONTAINS SWEETENERS — NOT RECOMMENDED FOR CHILDREN' for products containing non-caloric sweeteners. These legends are independent of the octagonal seals.

Mandatory Label Information

In addition to front-of-pack seals, every label must include: product name, ingredient list in descending order by weight, nutrition facts table (per serving and per 100 g or 100 ml), net content, name and address of the party responsible for the product in Mexico, country of origin, lot number, expiration or best-by date, and storage instructions. For imported products, all information must be in Spanish and may be applied via a supplementary label firmly attached to the original packaging.

How to Comply with NOM-051 When Importing

• Obtain complete nutritional information from the foreign manufacturer, including analysis per 100 g or 100 ml.
• Calculate the nutrient profile per Phase 3 criteria to determine which seals apply.
• Design and print Spanish-language labels including seals, legends, and all mandatory information.
• If you cannot re-label at origin, apply supplementary labels at a bonded warehouse before customs clearance.
• Verify whether your product requires a sanitary registration with COFEPRIS (dietary supplements, infant formulas, etc.).
• Contract an EMA-accredited laboratory for verification testing if required by authorities.

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Mexico's Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO) oversees NOM-051 enforcement. Penalties range from fines of $4,900 to $198,000 USD (2,191 to 88,788 UMA), to product seizure and destruction. At customs, non-compliant goods may be detained and returned to the country of origin at the importer's expense. COFEPRIS can also take action for health-related labeling violations.

NOM-051 vs. International Labeling Standards

Mexico's system is among the strictest in the world. Unlike Europe's Nutri-Score traffic light or the U.S. Nutrition Facts panel, Mexico uses binary seals — the product either exceeds or does not exceed each threshold. There are no gradations or intermediate colors. This means products perfectly legal in the U.S. or Europe may require 3, 4, or even 5 warning seals to be sold in Mexico. Chile, Colombia, Argentina, and Uruguay have adopted similar systems but with different thresholds.

How Camtom Simplifies Regulatory Compliance

Identifying the non-tariff regulations and restrictions that apply to each product is one of the most complex steps in importing. Camtom automatically classifies your products with the correct tariff code and shows you the applicable NOMs, permits, and regulations before you ship. If you import food and need to verify whether your product must comply with NOM-051 labeling, NOM-251 hygiene practices, or COFEPRIS registration, Camtom tells you in seconds.

Importing food or beverages into Mexico? Try Camtom for free and verify which regulations apply to your products before you ship.