?The Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR*) is advancing the regional harmonisation of its food labelling policies by developing a Regional Front-of-Pack (FOP) Warning Labelling Law and is launching public consultations on updated technical regulations. These initiatives seek to enhance consumer transparency, are promoting healthier consumption patterns, and are contributing to the reduction of diet-related non-communicable diseases across Member States.
The bloc is discussing a development of a Regional Front-of-Pack Warning Labelling Law aimed at standardising warning statements for products high in sugars, saturated fats, sodium, and calories. The proposal targets full implementation by 2030 and is underpinned by scientific evidence and public health equity considerations.
It is worth recalling that a previous attempt to harmonise this area in 2018 did not advance due to lack of consensus, leaving regulation at the national level. The new initiative is revisiting efforts towards a binding regional framework to facilitate a harmonised front-of-pack system across MERCOSUR.
At the same time, Member States are conducting public consultations on new versions of the Technical Regulation on the General Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods and the Technical Regulation on Nutritional Labelling of Pre-packaged Foods, which are intended to update and replace previous MERCOSUR resolutions. These draft regulations are setting out harmonised requirements on mandatory general and nutrition information, standardised presentation formats, legibility criteria, calculation methodologies, allergen declarations etc, and conditions for exempt declarations.
The regional consultation is remaining open until early 2026 and is being notified to the WTO Technical Barriers to Trade Committee, enabling input from international stakeholders and ensuring alignment with global standards.
As part of the implementation process, Member States are issuing their respective national drafts aligned with the regional proposal in preparation for domestic legal incorporation. These drafts are establishing phased compliance timelines, including:
- 12 months for products intended for industrial use.
- 36 months for general pre-packaged food products.
- 48 months for small and medium-sized enterprises.
- 60 months for non-alcoholic beverages in returnable containers.
Following regional approval, Member States are afforded a maximum of 12 months to transpose the regulation into national legislation, ensuring a predictable and orderly transition for economic operators.
Taken together, these initiatives are consolidating substantial progress towards a harmonised regional food labelling framework within MERCOSUR. The strategy is strengthening consumer protection, is enhancing regulatory predictability and competitiveness for industry, and is aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to public health (SDG 3) and responsible consumption (SDG 12).
*MERCOSUR is composed of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela. Venezuela is currently suspended due to political reasons.
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Published: December 11, 2025
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