The rumor that the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) had fined businesses selling tortillas stored in coolers went viral, but how did this rumor start? Here’s what happened:
According to reports, Profeco had begun sanctioning businesses for selling tortillas stored in coolers.
It was said that in recent days, the federal agency issued fines to supermarkets, convenience stores, and other businesses for selling this staple food without complying with hygiene, labeling, or food preservation standards.
Furthermore, it was reported that these incidents occurred in southern Tamaulipas and that the fines for the violation could reach up to four million pesos.
Manuel Alberto Leal Villarreal, head of the Consumer Protection Office (ODECO) for the Gulf North Zone, reported that four businesses had already been sanctioned for violating official regulations and could also face fines of up to four million pesos.
The official explained that “Offering tortillas in coolers doesn’t specify the product’s weight or include information about the production or expiration date, which represents a violation of consumer rights.”
He added that selling the product—a staple in the diet of millions of families—in this way creates market distortions, as these establishments compete with tortilla shops and producers who do comply with commercial health regulations.
It was noted that the practice of selling tortillas stored in coolers violates Mexican Official Standards 051 and 187, which are related to the labeling, hygiene, and preservation of this type of food.
Mexican Official Standard (NOM) 187 establishes that tortillas must undergo certain processes after production, such as a “breathing” period, and must be properly packaged and stored in specific locations that guarantee their quality, preservation, and sanitary conditions.
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Meanwhile, NOM 051 mandates that all pre-packaged food and non-alcoholic beverages in Mexico must have basic labeling that includes information such as:
In response to recent statements by the director of the Consumer Protection Office (Odeco) Gulf-North Zone, located in Tampico, Tamaulipas, Profeco (the Federal Consumer Protection Agency) reported that in no state of the Republic can this agency fine suppliers for reasons of sanitation, hygiene conditions, or food handling.
This comes after the Odeco Gulf-North Zone official erroneously stated that fines of up to 4 million pesos could be levied against businesses that sell tortillas in coolers or transport them on motorcycles.
The agency clarified that, through the Corn-Tortilla Agreement, the agency monitors prices at more than 600 tortilla shops with the “Who’s Who in Prices” program. In addition, it ensures that establishments display prices clearly and respect them, and calibrates scales to guarantee that full kilograms are sold.
Furthermore, through the Official Mexican Standard NOM-187-SSA1-SCFI-2002, Profeco verifies compliance with regulations regarding products and services derived from masa and tortillas.
The agency reiterated that it is outside its jurisdiction to fine businesses for the handling or sanitary conditions under which tortillas are sold.
Profeco emphasized that its objective is to guarantee fair and transparent consumer relations, as well as to provide guidance to both suppliers and consumers.
Source: informador
