Front-of-Package 2020

FOP Warning Symbols

As of November 30, 2020, Mexico food labeling regulations require food manufacturers to add warnings to their front-of-package (FOP) labels for foods and beverages that are high in calories, sugar, sodium, trans fat, or saturated fat, per the established parameters (see chart). 

Note: These regulations are being rolled out in three implementation phases. As of version 11.14 Genesis R&D is determining FOP warnings using the Phase Two criteria, and Phase Three can be selected

How to comply with Phase 2 FOP regulations using Genesis

Trans fat

FOP symbols appear automatically for Trans Fat when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat (The Designation "Is Fat" is checked)
• The Trans Fat amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sat fat

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sat Fat when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat (The Designation "Is Fat" is checked)
• The Sat Fat amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sodium

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Sodium (The Designation "Is Sodium" is checked)
• The Sodium amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sugars

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has Added Sugars (the Added Sugars nutrient is populated with a value greater than 0)
• The Added Sugars amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Calories

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has Added Sugars or Added Fats  
• The Calories amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

How to comply with Phase 3 FOP regulations using Genesis

Trans fat

FOP symbols appear automatically for Trans Fat when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat, added Sodium or Added Sugars
• The Trans Fat amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sat fat

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sat Fat when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat, added Sodium or Added Sugars
• The Sat Fat amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sodium

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat, added Sodium or Added Sugars
• The Sodium amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Sugars

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat, added Sodium or Added Sugars
• The Added Sugars amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

Calories

FOP symbols appear automatically for Sodium when two criteria are met in your Recipe:

• At least one of the Ingredients has added Fat, added Sodium or Added Sugars
• The Calories amount for the Recipe exceeds the threshold

The warning symbols will appear on the Label View page, similar to this example where the Saturated Fat is 2.5g, or 23 kcal, which is greater than 10% of 130 kcal.

If the product exceeded all thresholds, this would appear:

Special for Trans fat and Saturated fat

All ingredients that are considered added fat (not naturally occurring in meat or cheese) must be designated as such at the ingredient level for the Trans fat and Sat Fat FOP calculations to be correct and compliant. 

To do so:

1. Open the ingredient
2. Select Designations
3. Check "Is Fat"
4. Click OK.

Special for Sodium

All ingredients that are considered added sodium must be designated as such at the ingredient level for the Sodium calculations to be correct and compliant.

1. Open the ingredient
2. Select Designations
3. Check "Is Sodium"
4. Click OK.

For Small Packages

Products with a main display area less than or equal to 5 cm² and that can't accommodate the individual symbols must include one numerical warning symbol indicating the number of nutrients that exceed the recommended threshold. Like so:

FOP Warning Statements

• Products that contain caffeine must include the warning “CONTIENE CAFEÍNA — EVITAR EN NIÑOS” (“Contains caffeine — children should avoid”). This statement will appear on your label page when there is any value for caffeine on the nutrients screen of the Recipe. (Edit Recipe > Nutrients)
• Products that contain sweeteners must include the warning “CONTIENE EDULCORANTES — NO RECOMENDABLE EN NIÑOS” (“Contains sweeteners — not recommended for children”). Sweeteners are defined as substances different from mono- and disaccharides that add sweetness to products. They include Aspartame, Cyclamate, Saccharin, and other artificial sweeteners; Stevia and other "natural" sweeteners; sugar alcohols and other sugar substitutes.

Special for Sweeteners

In order for a sweetener warning to appear on your label page, you must make sure the sweetener ingredients are designated as such. 

To do so 

1. Open the ingredient
2. Select Designations
3. Check "Is Sweetener"
4. Click OK.

Vector Images

Because you must display these on your package, we have included the option to output a high-resolution vector (.ai) file that you can give to your graphic designer. 

To output the FOP images as a vector:

1. Right-click on the image and select Export>As Image>To file.
2. Browse to find where to save the file.
3. Click Save.

FOP Settings

Display options for the FOP symbols and warning texts can be accessed by going to Edit Label > Format Options. 

Front of Package Layout

• You can choose the layout for the Front of Package symbols on your label display here. Note: the vertical option will only apply when there are three symbols. The singular option will display a number symbol. This illustrates the number of warning symbols that apply for the product and is used for small packages where space is limited.

"Contains Sweetener" Front of Package Image

• Choose either wide or narrow layout here, or choose not to show.

"Contains Caffeine" Front of Package Image

• Choose either wide or narrow layout here, or choose not to show.

This chart shows the thresholds and warning symbols necessary when the threshold is exceeded. Note: This chart includes parameters for the Phase Two implementations.