Guatemala Imposes Pre-Packaged Foods Labelling Requirements

Guatemala has extended the comment period for its nutrition labelling regulations for pre-packaged foods, requiring mandatory nutritional information on all products intended for adults and children over three years of age.

Regulation Analysis: Guatemala’s Nutrition Labelling Requirements for Pre-Packaged Foods

Guatemala has extended the comment period for the Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.60:10: Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods for human consumption for adults and children over three years of age until 13 June 2024¹. This regulation mandates the inclusion of mandatory nutritional information on all pre-packaged foods intended for adults and children over three years of age. Below is a structured breakdown of the key requirements, deadlines, and responsible authorities.

Key Requirements and Deadlines

Detailed Provisions

1. Scope of Application

The regulation applies to all pre-packaged foods intended for human consumption by adults and children over three years of age¹. This excludes foods specifically formulated for infants and young children under three years, which are governed by separate regulations.

1. Comment Period Extension
   • The original notification of the draft regulation was published on 11 February 2011 under WTO document G/TBT/N/GTM/69¹.
   • The deadline for submitting comments or observations has been extended to 13 June 2024¹. Stakeholders, including WTO Members, may submit feedback to the designated authority.

1. Designated Authority for Comments

Comments must be directed to the Economic Integration Coordination Office within the Ministry of Economy (MINECO)¹. Contact details are as follows:

• Website:¹(http://www.mineco.gob.gt)
• Address: 8ª. Ave. 10-43, Zona 1, 4to. Nivel, Ciudad de Guatemala
• Email: ljuarez@mineco.gob.gt
• Telephone: (+502) 2412 0200, Ext. 4319
• Fax: (+502) 2412 0339

1. Status of the Regulation
   • The regulation remains in draft form as of the latest notification¹.
   • No adoption, publication, or entry-into-force dates have been specified in the provided sources¹. The final text is not yet available.

Summary Answer

Guatemala’s Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.60:10 requires mandatory nutrition labelling for pre-packaged foods intended for adults and children over three years of age¹. The comment period for this draft regulation has been extended to 13 June 2024, allowing stakeholders to submit observations to the Ministry of Economy (MINECO)¹. While the regulation’s scope and authority are clearly defined, no adoption or implementation timeline has been provided in the available sources¹. For further details, the draft text can be accessed via the MINECO website¹.

Sources

1. ↩ Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) No. 67.04.60:10: Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods for human consumption for adults and children of over three years of age •••See below table 001 Description: The Government of the Republic of Guatemala notified draft regulation "RTCA No. 67.04.60:10: Nutrition labelling of pre-packaged foods for human consumption for adults and children of over three years of age" on 11 February 2011 in document G/TBT/N/GTM/69. In this regard, WTO Members are advised that the deadline for submitting comments or observations has been extended to 13 June 2024. The text can be viewed online at the website address below. Agency or authority designated to handle comments: www.mineco.gob.gt Coordinación de Integración Económica (Economic Integration Coordination Office) 8ª. Ave. 10-43, Zona 1, 4to. Nivel Ciudad de Guatemala Tel.: (+502) 2412 0200, Ext. 4319 Fax: (+502) 2412 0339 Email: ljuarez@mineco.gob.gt •••Table001 | Reason for Addendum: | | [X] | Comment period changed – date: 13 June 2024 | | _notification https://docs.wto.org/imrd/directdoc.asp?DDFDocuments/T/G/TBTN11/GTM69A2.DOCX