The Ministry of Health renews the lists of food additives and processing aids

The Ministry of Health published the Agreement determining the additives and processing aids in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements, their use, and sanitary provisions, which repeals the 2012 standard and renews the lists of permitted substances. The document, signed by Secretary David Kershenobich Stalnikowitz, was published in the Official Gazette of the Federation on Friday, August 21, 2026 (number 228/2026, p. 18) and will enter into force 60 business days following its publication.

The standard replaces the agreement published on July 16, 2012, and modified on September 5, 2013, and May 16, 2016, which has been repealed. It is issued based on the General Health Law and the Regulation for the Sanitary Control of Products and Services, which empower the health authority to determine the substances permitted, restricted, or prohibited in the production of foods, beverages, and supplements.

Eleven annexes and new lists

The agreement groups the authorized substances into eleven annexes, which specify for each additive the product categories in which its use is recognized and, where applicable, the maximum doses:

• Annex I: additives with various functional classes and an established ADI.
• Annex II: additives usable according to Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).
• Annex III and IV: colorants with ADI and colorants according to GMP.
• Annex V: purified substances for chewing.
• Annex VI: enzymes.
• Annex VII and VIII: sweeteners with ADI and according to GMP.
• Annex IX: additives in infant and follow-on formulas.
• Annex X: processing aids.
• Annex XI: flavorings.

Limits and adaptation deadlines

The standard sets maximum contaminant limits for additives: arsenic no more than 3 mg/kg, heavy metals no more than 40 mg/kg, and lead no more than 10 mg/kg; colorants must also comply with mercury no more than 1 mg/kg and residual solvents no more than 50 mg/kg. COFEPRIS will be the body responsible for evaluating requests for the use of substances not listed and for updating the annexes every three months on its website, with republication of the agreement in the Official Gazette of the Federation every six months.

Staggered deadlines are established for industry adaptation:

• 12 months to notify the use of additives in products not included in annexes I, III, and VII.
• 24 months for reformulation when the request is not granted.
• 24 months to apply the new provisions on colorants in annex III.
• 6 months to request the inclusion of gold, silver, and aluminum colorants, and an additional 18 months for their removal if not notified.

Impact on industry and consumers

The agreement affects the entire Mexican food chain, from beverage, bakery, dairy, and supplement manufacturers to producers of flavorings and processing aids, who must review formulations, labeling, and usage limits. For consumers, the update reinforces sanitary control over substances with potentially carcinogenic, teratogenic, or mutagenic effects, the import, production, and sale of which are prohibited when scientific evidence of risk exists.

Source: Official Gazette of the Federation, No. 228/2026, Friday, August 21, 2026, p. 18 (official reference: Agreement determining the additives and processing aids in foods, beverages, and dietary supplements, their use, and sanitary provisions).