The Federal Consumer Prosecutor’s Office (Profeco) and the Ministry of Economy immediately banned the commercialization of yogurt and cheese brands for failing to comply with the provisions of the Official Mexican Standards.
“ITS COMMERCIALIZATION HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT TO THE DETRIMENT AND WITH INFORMATION THAT CAN MISLEAD CONSUMERS. CONSEQUENTLY, THIS AGENCY ORDERED THE IMMEDIATE PROHIBITION OF ITS COMMERCIALIZATION “, INDICATED THE SECRETARIAT LED BY GRACIELA MÁRQUEZ COLÍN.
Cheeses are not 100% milk
In the products known as “cheese” it was found that they have legends “100% made from milk” and they are not; they add vegetable fat to replace milk; provide a lower grammage than declared on the label as net content; and not inform on the main exhibition surface the percentage of use of caseinates for the production of cheese
Thus, it was determined the ban on the sale of Fud, Christmas Eve, Premier Plus Squares, Swan, Little Red Riding Hood, Burr, Precissimo, Frankli, Selecto Brand, Galbani, Lala, El Parral, Portales, Walter, Sargento, Cremeria Covadonga, Aurrera and Philadelphia.
Yogurt fails in milk and sugars
Regarding the products called “natural yogurt”, non-compliance was detected in addition of sugars and the minimum milk content.
The brands in this category that were banned are Bene Gastro and Danone Natural.
In an interview with MILENIO, Ricardo Sheffield, owner of Profeco, indicated that the agency has already initiated a legal proceeding against Danone for the trademark Benegastro for misleading advertising.
He explained that this product implies that it is good for the gastric system and that, as it has a significant content of high fructose corn syrup, it is not beneficial for consumers.
“THERE MAY EVEN BE DAMAGE TO HEALTH; THIS IS A PRODUCT IN WHICH WE WILL MOST LIKELY EVEN GO TO COURT BECAUSE WE KNOW HOW FAR DANONE WANTS TO FIGHT IT, BUT LEGALLY WE ARE ALREADY STARTING IT AND IT WILL BE A CASE THAT WILL GIVE US SOMETHING TO TALK ABOUT FROM NOW ON ”, HE SAID.
Sheffield Padilla said that for product immobilization it is necessary to legally demonstrate non-compliance with these.
Profeco will impose fines
Additionally, offenders will be imposed the fines and measures provided for in the Quality Infrastructure Law.
Profeco had already had a controversy with Danone over its alkaline water brand due to misleading advertising, for its slogan that referred to “spiritual balance”.
“THE COMPANY THERE DID NOT CONTEST, THEY ACCEPTED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVE THEIR SAYING AND THEY WITHDREW IT. THIS CASE IS MORE COMPLEX AND HAS BEEN ON THE MARKET FOR LONGER, THE WATER HAD LITTLE TIME “, HE INDICATED.
The official indicated that the longer a product has been on the market, the more difficult it is to make changes. He added that the agency he directs will be checking children’s yogurts and compliance with front warning labeling.
“THE MINISTRY OF ECONOMY AND PROFECO WILL CONTINUE WITH THE TASKS OF VERIFICATION AND SURVEILLANCE OF THE MARKET TO GUARANTEE THAT THE PRODUCTS AND SERVICES OFFERED COMPLY WITH THE OFFICIAL MEXICAN STANDARDS IN PROTECTION OF CONSUMER RIGHTS,” SAID THE SE.
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