El Salvador has introduced new technical specifications for dairy products, yoghurt, and food additives to ensure consumer protection and prevent deceptive practices.
El Salvador Sets New Standards for Dairy and Food Additives
Products must meet new technical specifications for safety and labeling.
What changed
Yoghurt must meet technical specifications for composition, microbiological safety, and labeling.
Matured cheese standards set with clear processing methods and safety criteria.
Food additives strictly controlled with approved lists and safe usage levels.
Labeling must follow Central American practices with nutritional information and ingredient transparency.
Who it affects
Dairy producers must comply with new microbiological and manufacturing standards for yoghurt and cheese.
Food manufacturers must follow approved additive lists and usage limits in processed foods.
Importers of dairy products must ensure products meet the new technical specifications.
Product labelers must include nutritional information and transparent ingredient lists.
Compliance Analysis: New Technical Specifications for Dairy Products, Yoghurt, and Food Additives in El Salvador
El Salvador has introduced new technical specifications for yoghurt, matured cheese, and food additives through Central American Technical Regulations (RTCA). These regulations aim to prevent deceptive practices, ensure consumer protection, and safeguard public health by establishing standardized requirements for composition, labeling, manufacturing practices, and permitted additives.
1. Regulation Overview
The following RTCA regulations apply to the specified products in El Salvador:
| Regulation | Product Covered | Key Objectives | Applicable Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTCA 67.04.79:23 | Yoghurt (yogurt, yogurth, yoghurt, yogourt) | Establish technical specifications for composition, labeling, and safety1. | OSARTEC, Ministry of Economy1. |
| RTCA 67.04.75:17 | Matured cheese | Define specifications for matured cheese, including composition and labeling2. | OSARTEC, Ministry of Economy2. |
| RTCA 67.04.54:10 | Food additives | Regulate permitted additives in foods and beverages (excluding processing aids)3. | OSARTEC, Ministry of Economy3. |
2. Detailed Requirements
2.1 Yoghurt (RTCA 67.04.79:23)
Scope: Applies to yoghurt for direct human consumption or further processing in El Salvador1.
Key Requirements:
- Definition and Composition: Yoghurt must comply with the definition in Article 4.1 of RTCA 67.04.79:23, which includes minimum milkfat and protein content (exact thresholds not specified in the provided sources)1.
- Manufacturing Practices: Must adhere to RTCA on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for processed foods and beverages1.
- Microbiological Criteria: Must meet safety standards outlined in RTCA on Microbiological Criteria for Food Safety1.
- Labeling:
- Food Additives: Permitted additives must align with RTCA 67.04.54:101.
Enforcement Authority:
- Organismo Salvadoreño de Reglamentación Técnica (OSARTEC)1.
- Ministry of Economy (Dirección de Administración de Tratados Comerciales) for compliance and comments1.
Comment Period: 60 days from notification (status: pending adoption)1.
2.2 Matured Cheese (RTCA 67.04.75:17)
Scope: Applies to matured cheese for human consumption or further processing2.
Key Requirements:
- Specifications: The regulation defines compositional and quality standards for matured cheese (exact thresholds not specified in the provided sources)2.
- Labeling: Must comply with general and nutritional labeling requirements for prepackaged foods2.
- Manufacturing Practices: Adherence to RTCA on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)2.
- Microbiological Safety: Compliance with RTCA on Microbiological Criteria for Food Safety2.
Status:
- Approved under Resolution No. 406-2018 (COMIECO-LXXXV) on 7 December 20182.
- Updated following public consultation2.
Enforcement Authority:
2.3 Food Additives (RTCA 67.04.54:10)
Scope: Applies to food additives used in foods and beverages marketed in El Salvador, excluding processing aids or ingredients3.
Key Requirements:
- Permitted Additives: The regulation establishes a list of approved food additives (specific additives not detailed in the provided sources)3.
- Labeling: Additives must be declared on product labels in accordance with RTCA on Prepackaged Food Labeling3.
- Safety: Additives must comply with microbiological and safety criteria outlined in relevant RTCA standards3.
Status:
- Revised and open for comments (60-day period from notification date of 14 August 2018)3.
- Modifications to content/scope were made following prior notifications3.
Enforcement Authority:
3. Supporting Regulations
The following RTCA standards are referenced across the above regulations and must be complied with:
| Supporting Regulation | Purpose | Citation |
|---|---|---|
| RTCA on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) | Establishes hygiene and manufacturing standards for processed foods and beverages. | 1,2 |
| RTCA on Microbiological Criteria for Food Safety | Defines microbiological limits for food safety. | 1,2,3 |
| RTCA on Prepackaged Food Labeling | Sets general labeling requirements for prepackaged foods. | 1,3 |
| RTCA on Nutritional Labeling | Mandates nutritional information for prepackaged foods (for consumers aged 3+). | 1 |
| RTCA on the Use of Dairy Terms | Regulates the use of dairy-related terminology to prevent misleading claims. | 1 |
4. Compliance Process
- Notification and Comments:
- Adoption and Enforcement:
- Implementation:
- Businesses must ensure products comply with compositional, labeling, and safety requirements before market entry.
- Non-compliance may result in penalties (specific penalties not detailed in the provided sources).
5. Key Contacts for Compliance
| Authority | Contact Information | Role |
|---|---|---|
| OSARTEC | 1ª Calle Poniente y Final 41 Av. Norte, N° 18, Colonia Flor Blanca, San Salvador. Tel.: (+503) 2590 5323, 2590 5331, 2590 5335. Email: consultasreglamento@osartec.gob.sv. Website:1(http://www.osartec.gob.sv). | Technical regulation enforcement and inquiries1,2,3. |
| Ministry of Economy (Dirección de Administración de Tratados Comerciales) | Alameda Juan Pablo II y Calle Guadalupe, Plan Maestro, San Salvador. Tel.: (+503) 2590 5788. Fax: (+503) 2590 5789. Email: datco@economia.gob.sv. Website:1(https://www.economia.gob.sv). | Handles comments and compliance inquiries1,2,3. |
Summary Answer
El Salvador has introduced three key regulations to standardize dairy products, yoghurt, and food additives:
- RTCA 67.04.79:23 establishes technical specifications for yoghurt, including composition, labeling, and safety requirements, with compliance enforced by OSARTEC and the Ministry of Economy1.
- RTCA 67.04.75:17 defines specifications for matured cheese, approved under Resolution No. 406-2018, and aligns with GMP and labeling standards2.
- RTCA 67.04.54:10 regulates permitted food additives, excluding processing aids, and is currently open for comments3.
All regulations aim to prevent deceptive practices and protect consumer health, with supporting standards for manufacturing, microbiological safety, and labeling1,2,3. Businesses must ensure compliance with these requirements before market entry, and comments may be submitted to the Ministry of Economy within 60 days of notification.
Sources
- ↩ Reglamento Técnico Centroamericano -RTCA- 67.04.79:23 PRODUCTOS LÁCTEOS. YOGUR (YOGURT, YOGURTH, YOGHURT, YOGOURT). ESPECIFICACIONES (Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.79:23: Milk products. Yoghurt. Specifications) (7 pages, in Spanish) 6. | Description of content: The notified Central American Technical Regulation establishes the technical specifications to be met by yoghurt, as defined in Article 4.1 thereof. It applies to yoghurt for direct human consumption or further processing in the territory of the States parties. 7. | Objective and rationale, including the nature of urgent problems where applicable: Prevention of deceptive practices and consumer protection; Protection of human health or safety 8. | Relevant documents: -RTCA Industria de alimentos y bebidas procesados. Buenas Prácticas de Manufactura. Principios Generales (current version). -RTCA Alimentos. Criterios Microbiológicos para la inocuidad de alimentos (current version). -RTCA Alimentos y Bebidas Procesadas. Aditivos Alimentarios (current version). -RTCA Etiquetado General de los Alimentos Previamente Envasados (Preenvasados) (current version). -RTCA Etiquetado Nutricional de Productos Alimenticios Preenvasados para Consumo Humano para la Población a partir de 3 años de edad (current version). -RTCA Uso de Términos Lecheros (current version). 9. | Proposed date of adoption: To be determined Proposed date of entry into force: To be determined 10. | Final date for comments: 60 days from notification 11. | Texts available from: National enquiry point _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN23/SLV227.DOCX
- ↩ Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.75:17 Dairy products. Matured cheese. Specifications _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NSLV127A1.DOCX
- ↩ Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.54:10: Foods and beverages. Food additives _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/SPS/NSLV95A1.DOCX