Ecuador Revises Regulations on Processed Foods

The Ecuadorian government plans to revise the technical regulations governing the production and sale of processed foods on December 12, 2024, with a public feedback deadline set for February 10, 2025. The main content of these revisions includes:

1. Introduction of new definitions, such as health alerts.
2. Specification of the application process and detailed requirements for health notifications for processed foods. For the same product, if produced by different manufacturers in different countries, or if there are differences in net content or formulation, separate applications are required. Application materials must include the product name, percentage content of each ingredient in descending order, label samples, trademarks, declaration of raw ingredients, additives, and other relevant information. The health claim section must also provide a description of the processing methods, physicochemical parameters, laboratory analysis reports, and shelf-life statements. For foreign manufacturers applying for health notifications, documents must be submitted, including authorization letters from foreign manufacturers or product owners certified by the Ecuadorian consulate, certificates of free sale or sanitary certificates issued by government authorities, product production processes, batch codes, original labels, and product analysis reports. Additionally, specific regulations concerning changes to health notifications and traceability and record-keeping requirements for sampling imported foods have been clarified.
3. Establishment of documentation requirements to prevent cross-contamination and manage recalls during the production process in processing plants.