Jul 28, 2026

2 min read

The Council of Ministers of Economic Integration (COMIECO), within the Central American Economic Integration Subsystem and with technical support from the Secretariat for Central American Economic Integration (SIECA), reported progress on several regulatory workstreams relevant to the food and beverage sector during the first semester of 2026. The discussions form part of ongoing regional efforts to strengthen harmonisation, trade facilitation and competitiveness across Central America.

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For pre-packaged foods, the Technical Subgroup on Food and Beverages continued reviewing the draft Central American Technical Regulation (RTCA) on nutritional labelling for products intended for the population aged three years and older. According to the reported progress, 487 observations were received during the national and international public consultation process, of which 221 have reached consensus. The observations under review cover the scope, definitions, nutrient declaration and other nutritional labelling requirements.

The subgroup also advanced work on the draft RTCA for processed meat products. Discussions have focused on the classification of processed meat product categories, including ham-type products, longanizas, chorizos, sausages, mortadella, salami, pepperoni, formed products and spreadable products. Pending technical matters include specific definitions for certain categories, analytical and sampling methods, product characteristics, labelling, packaging and bibliography.

Front-of-pack labelling remains another key area of regional negotiation. The Technical Subgroup on Food and Beverages continued reviewing the matrix of proposals for the draft RTCA on front-of-pack labelling, which includes 20 sections. To date, 21 points of consensus have been reached, mainly related to the removal of definitions already regulated under other RTCAs applicable to processed foods and beverages. COMIECO also approved the roadmap for negotiating the draft front-of-pack labelling regulation during the first semester of 2026.

In parallel, the Technical Subgroup on Supplements continued reviewing the draft RTCA on supplements, including provisions on scope, use of the term ?supplements?, definitions, applicable requirements, labelling, composition, tolerance and compliance, hygiene, packaging, storage and distribution. This is particularly relevant for companies marketing food supplements across Central America, as the future regional text may influence formulation, labelling and compliance strategies.

Food additives also remain under discussion. The Central American Committee on Food Additives (CCAA) is maintaining under internal analysis a request from the National Association of Alcohol and Liquor Manufacturers (ANFAL) to include tricalcium phosphate, INS 341(iii), in the RTCA on food additives. Companies in the alcoholic beverages sector should monitor the outcome of this review before assuming regional permissibility.

Additional developments may also affect operators in the wider food value chain. COMIECO reported Panama?s adhesion to the RTCA on quantity of product in pre-packaged goods and the approval of provisions related to the use of technological means for complementary labelling in Panama. These measures may contribute to greater regulatory predictability and operational flexibility for companies distributing pre-packaged foods in the region.

Overall, the reported progress signals continued movement towards greater regulatory harmonisation in Central America. Food, beverage and supplement companies should closely monitor the ongoing RTCA negotiations on nutritional labelling, front-of-pack labelling, supplements, processed meat products and food additives, and assess how future regional requirements may affect product formulation, labelling, market access and compliance planning.

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