Mexico – Export requirements for food supplements

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1. Eligible/ineligible product

Eligible

Supplements, complements, additives, flavourings for human consumption and/or human food industry that may contain ingredients of porcine, bovine and apiculture origin. An example of an eligible product includes soft-gel capsules of bovine or porcine origin containing fish oil. It is the responsibility of the exporter to be familiar with Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria's (SENASICA) conditions as per Hoja de Requisitos Zoosanitarios (HRZ) 098-13-2616-CAN-CAN.

Not eligible

Information not available.

2. Pre-export approval by competent authority of the importing country

Establishments

Mexico does not have a list of approved establishments.

The manufacturing, exporting and storage facilities of food supplements must be under the official oversight of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and be licensed under the Safe Food for Canadian Regulations (SFCR).

3. Production controls and inspection requirements

Preventive control inspections (PCI) are to be delivered at a frequency based on CFIA's food program direction. The inspector must verify during a preventive control inspection (PCI) that the establishment is aware of the standards and requirements of the importing country and has a specific export procedure which demonstrates that the product conforms with the conditions stipulated in HRZ 098-13-2616-CAN-CAN.

The processing method must be documented and monitored. A production diagram must be provided, including Critical Control Points (CCPs). The CFIA inspector must ensure that what occurs on location corresponds to the production diagram.

Animal products for human consumption must come from animals that have passed an ante and post-mortem examinations by a veterinarian in slaughterhouses which are under full-time inspection.

Manufacturer's declaration

  • All export requests must be accompanied by a copy of the HRZ and a Manufacturer's declaration that has been completed on a company letterhead and signed by an authorized person of the food manufacturing establishment/facility. The following information must be included:
    • HRZ number
    • product name on label
    • establishment ID number/establishment registration number
    • lot number
    • names and origin (Canadian and/or imported) of ingredients of animal origin
    • animal species (bovine, porcine, apiculture)
    • if applicable, description of the heat and/or chemical treatments used
    • storage location
    • any other relevant information

Note: Inspectors will verify that the manufacturer's declaration is completed appropriately and reserve the right to request any other information that they think is necessary for the final certification of the product.

Based on HRZ 098-13-2616-CAN-CAN, this negotiated certificate contains attestations for relevant animal diseases that include Classical Swine Fever (CSF), Foot and Mouth disease (FMD) and Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE). The manufacturer must implement specific procedures which demonstrates that the final product meets amongst other requirements the following:

  • Attestation for hydrolyzed protein of pork origin (Statement 4 of the certificate)
    • Provide supporting documentation stating that the ingredient originated from a country free of CSF or that the hydrolyzed protein was subjected to one of the heat treatment processes as defined on the HRZ/certificate.
  • Attestation for hydrolyzed protein of bovine origin (Statement 5 of the certificate)
    • Provide supporting documentation stating that the ingredient originates from a country free of FMD or that the hydrolyzed protein was subjected to one of the heat/ chemical treatment processes as defined on the HRZ/certificate.
  • Attestation for gelatin and/or collagen of bovine origin (Statement 6 of the certificate)
    • Provide supporting documentation stating that the ingredient was derived exclusively from bovine hides and skins, or
      • that the gelatin and/or collagen was derived from bovine bones that originates from a country classified as negligible BSE risk in accordance with OIE guidelines, or
      • that the gelatin and/or collagen originates from a country in which the risk of BSE is controlled or undetermined and the ingredient is derived from bovines that meet the additional attestations and treatments defined on the HRZ/certificate.
  • Attestation for honey or other apiculture products (Statement 7 of the certificate)
    • Provide supporting documentation stating that the apiculture product originates from Canada or provide proof of legal importation into Canada.
    • The apiculture product is processed in an establishment under CFIA official control.

Traceability

The manufacturer must develop and implement control programs to demonstrate that products produced for the Mexican market meet applicable requirements and to assure complete segregation when both eligible and ineligible products are present on the premises.

Imported ingredients

The use of ingredients of animal origin imported from certain countries may limit the ability to export to Mexico. The manufacturer must demonstrate through official documentation issued by the foreign competent authority that the imported ingredients of animal origin meet the requirements as stipulated in HRZ 098-13-2616-CAN-CAN. Any supporting document must be in one of the two official languages of Canada.

4. Labelling, packing and marking requirements

It is the exporter's responsibility to meet all the requirements for labelling, packaging and marking requirements as per the importing country.

5. Documentation requirements

Canada has a negotiated certificate with Mexico. Request for any additional statements must be confirmed by CFIA's Food Import Export Division (FIED).

Please note that the applicant is responsible for the details of dispatched consignment (page 1 of the certificate). The certification part (page 2, 3 of the certificate) must be completed by an official veterinarian, however, supporting information will have to be provided by the applicant in the form of a manufacturer's declaration (see 3 above).

Certificate

  • Health certificate for export of food supplements for human consumption from Canada to Mexico. CFIA/ACIA FA1013

Notes:

  • annex to the certificate is available upon request, if required, for additional product lines.
  • statements of the certificate that are not applicable must be crossed out.
  • the colour of the stamp and signature must be different to that of the other particulars in the certificate.
  • the shipping date must always be on or after the date of issuance of the certificate.
  • where applicable, the seal/container numbers should always be indicated.
  • export certificates cannot be issued for products that have left Canada.

6. Other information

Exported products transiting through a country may require transit documentation. It is the responsibility of the exporter to ensure that the shipment is accompanied by all necessary certificates.

Samples (personal or commercial) may be subject to the same requirements as a regular shipment.

SENASICA has provided a list of authorized points of entry, refer to HRZ 098-13-2616-CAN-CAN for details.

It is strongly recommended that the exporter verify these and any additional requirements with their importer.

Relevant Links

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