""""

Voluntary Report - public distribution

**Date:** 9/8/2003

**GAIN Report Number:** MX3122

MX3122

**Mexico**

**Dairy and Products**

**Mexico Publishes Proposed Rule on Health Specifications and Testing
Methods for Select Cheese Products**

**2003**

**Approved by:**

![](media/image1.wmf)David Williams

#### U.S. Embassy Mexico City

**Prepared by:**

Sal Trejo

**Report Highlights:**

On August 19, 2003, Mexico\'s Secretariat of Health published a proposed
regulation that will affect select cheese products, including those that
are unmatured, fresh, matured and processed, and other products made
with similar ingredients and procedures. The proposed regulation
establishes health specifications and testing methods for these
products. Comments on the proposed rule may be submitted through October
17, 2003.

Includes PSD Changes: No

Includes Trade Matrix: No

Unscheduled Report

Mexico \[MX1\]

\[MX\]

**Introduction:** This report summarizes a proposed rule Mexico\'s
Secretariat of Health (SSA) published in the *\"Diario Oficial\"*
(Federal Register) on August 19, 2003.

**Disclaimer:** This summary is based on a *cursory* review of the
subject announcement and therefore should not, under any circumstances,
be viewed as a definitive reading of the regulation in question, or of
its implications for U.S. agricultural export trade interests. In the
event of a discrepancy or discrepancies between this summary and the
complete regulation or announcement as published in Spanish, the latter
shall prevail.

**FAS/Mexico\'s Executive Summary:** SSA published the proposed rule
PROY-NOM-212-SSA1­2002 that establishes the health specifications and
testing methods for cheeses that are unmatured, fresh, matured and
processed, and products made with similar ingredients and procedures.
Compliance is mandatory for all persons or entities involved in
processing or importing these products.

**Title:** PROY-NOM-212-SSAI-2002. Products and services. Cheeses:
Unmatured or fresh, matured and processed, and the products elaborated
with ingredients and procedures of a similar aspect. Sanitary
specifications. Testing methods.

**Type of Regulation:** Proposed

**Important Dates**

**1. Publication Date:** August 19, 2003.

**2. Start of Public Comment Period:** August 20, 2003

**3. End of Public Comment Period:** October 18, 2003

NOTE: The comments to this norm must be submitted in writing and in
Spanish to: Comite Consultivo Nacional de Normalizacion De Regulacion y
Fomento Sanitario

Monterrey No. 33

Col. Roma

c.P. 06700, Mexico, D.F.

Email: [rfs@salud.gob.mx]{.underline}

**Products Affected:**

The products covered by this proposed NOM are listed as:

Cheeses: Unmatured or fresh, matured and processed, and the products
made with Ingredients and procedures of a similar aspect.

**Important Features of the Regulation:**

Other Mexican Official Norms that will be used to enforce this proposed
NOM:

NOM-031-ZOO-1995 National campaign against bovine tuberculosis
*(Mycobacterium bovis).*

NOM-031-SSA1-1993 Goods and services. Products of fishing. Bivalve
molluscs, fresh, refrigerated and frozen. Sanitary specifications.

NOM-033-SSA1-1993 Goods and services. Irradiation of food products.
Permitted dosage in foods, raw material and food additives.

NOM-041-ZOO-1995 National campaign against brucelosis in animals.

NOM-086-SSA1-1994 Goods and services. Food and non-alcoholic beverages
with modifications in their composition. Health specifications.

NOM-088-SSA1-1994 Goods and services. Contamination by radionuclids. In
imported food products for massive consumption. Maximum allowable
limits.

NOM-092-SSA1-1994 Determination method to count the aerobic bacteria by
plate.

NOM-110-SSA1-1994 Goods and services. Preparation and dilution of food
samples for their microbiological analysis.

NOM-112-SSA1-1994 Determination of bacteria coliforms. Technique of the
most probable number.

NOM-114-SSA1-1994 Determination method of Salmonella in meals.

NOM-117-SSA1-1994 Goods and services. Testing method for determination
of Cadmium, Arsenic, Lead, Tin, Copper, Iron, Zinc and Mercury in foods,
potable water and Purified Water by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry.

NOM-12O-SSA1-1994 Sanitation and hygiene practices for meals,
non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages process.

NOM-127-SSA1-1994 Ambient health, water for use and human consumption.
Permissable limit of quality and treatment to which water must be
submitted for potabilization.

NOM-129-SSA-1995 Goods and services. Fishing products: dried-salted,
smoked, cephalopod and gasteropod molluscs, fresh-refrigerated and
frozen. Conditions and sanitary specifications.

NOM-143-SSA-1995 Goods and services. Microbiological testing method for
food products. Determination of *listeria monocytogenes.*

NOM-145-SSA-1995 Goods and services. Meat products cut and cured. Meat
products cured and matured. Conditions and sanitary specifications.

NOM-184-SSA1-2OO2 Goods and services. Milk, lactic formula and lactic
product combined. Sanitary specifications.

NOM-185-SSA1-2OO2 Goods and services. Butter, cream, acidified and
fermented lactic products, milk based candies. Sanitary specifications.

**Health Provisions:**

The domestic and imported products under this proposed NOM must comply
with the described specifications in the referenced NOMs listed above,
and also, must comply with the described specifications on:
Microbiological specifications, additives, and heavy metals
contamination.

This NOM also establishes that foreign matter is not permitted and is
defined as: All material, residues, organic or inorganic waste or debris
that is present in the product by contamination and/or non-hygienic
handling of the product during its process. Feces, hair of any species,
pieces or fragments of bone and insects that are dangerous to public
health are considered as foreign matter.

**Microbiological specifications:**

Milk employed as raw material in the elaboration of the products subject
of this norm, that has not been submitted to pasteurization or an
equivalent thermic process, must comply with the following:

###### Table I

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Specification**                   **Maximum Limit**

  Aureus mesophylics                  100,000 CFU/ml

  *Enterotoxins staphylococcus*       Negative

  *E. coli*                           100 CFU/ml
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

The products subject to this norm should not exceed the following
limits:

###### Table II

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Specification**                   **Maximum Limit**

  Enterotoxins staphylococcus         Neqative

  *Salmonella spp 25g*                Absent

  *Listeria Monocytogenes in 25g*     Absent

  *E. coli* 2                         \<3NMP/g

  *E. coli* 3                         100 CFU/q

  Botulism toxins 1 4                 Neqative

  *Vibrio cholerae*                   Absent
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

**Heavy Metals and Metaloids:**

**Table III**

  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------
  **Specifications**                  **Maximum Limit (mg/kg)**

  Arsenic (As)                        0,2

  Lead (Pb)                           0,5

  Tin (SN)\*                          100
  ----------------------------------- -----------------------------------

\*Only for those packed in tins without varnish

**Additives:**

###### Table IV

<table style="width:100%;">
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 23%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 23%" />
<col style="width: 5%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 3%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 1%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 15%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
<col style="width: 0%" />
<col style="width: 15%" />
</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="13"><strong>Maximum Limits for the Product Subject of this
Standard (mg/kg)</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><strong>Additive</strong></td>
<td><strong>Maximum Limit</strong></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="4"><strong>Product</strong></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Acetic acid glacial</td>
<td colspan="4" rowspan="2">GMP</td>
<td colspan="7" rowspan="2">Unmatured or fresh,acidified. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Alginic acid</td>
<td colspan="4">GMP</td>
<td colspan="7">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Citric acid</td>
<td colspan="4" rowspan="2">GMP</td>
<td colspan="7" rowspan="2">Unmatured or fresh acidified. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Phosphoric acid</td>
<td colspan="4"><p>9 g/kg total compounds of added</p>
<p>phosphorous, calculated as phosphorous</p></td>
<td colspan="7"><p>Unmatured or fresh.</p>
<p>Processed</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Lactic acid</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6"><p>Unmatured or fresh</p>
<p>acidified. Processed. In</p>
<p>brine.</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Propianic acid</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Sorbic acid</td>
<td colspan="5">1,000 mg/kg Alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh. (for</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">Expressed as sorbic acid</td>
<td colspan="6">slicing, cuts grated and</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">shredded)</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Agar</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Ammonium alginate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Calcium alginate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Potassium alginate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Propylene glycol alginate</td>
<td colspan="5">5 g/kg 8g/kg alone or combined</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Sodium alginate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Beta-apo-8' carotenes</td>
<td colspan="5">35 mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured. Processed.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Beta synthetic carotenes</td>
<td colspan="5">25 mg/kg 600 mg/kg alone or</td>
<td colspan="6" rowspan="2">Matured. Processed.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">Combined</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Calcium carbonate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Carboxymethylcelulose</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">8g/kg alone or combined</td>
<td colspan="6">Processed. Matured.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">Grated and powdered.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Carragenines</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">8 g/kg alone or combined</td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Bees wax</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese coverinqs</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Candelilla wax</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese coverinqs</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Carnauba wax</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese coverings</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Rice husk wax</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese coverings</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Microcrytalline wax</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese coverinqs</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Tripotassium citrate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Trisodium citrate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Calcium chloride</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">All cheeses</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Titanium dioxide</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">Processed</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Annato extract</td>
<td colspan="5">10mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured cheese of normal</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">coloration.</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">25mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured cheese of orange</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="3">coloration.</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">50mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured cheese of intese</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">orange color.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">60mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Totally matured cheese</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">including crust.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">600mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Processed cheese</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">Reported on basis of</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">bixinejnorbixine</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Dehydrogenated calcium</td>
<td colspan="5">3.5 g/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese unmatured or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">phosphate</td>
<td colspan="5">calculated as phosphorous pentoxide</td>
<td colspan="6">fresh. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Dehydrated sodium</td>
<td colspan="5">3.5 g/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese unmatured or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">phosphate</td>
<td colspan="5">calculated as phosphorous pentoxide</td>
<td colspan="6">fresh. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Dibasic sodium</td>
<td colspan="5">3.5 g/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese unmatured or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">phosphate</td>
<td colspan="5">calculated as phosphorous pentoxide</td>
<td colspan="6">fresh. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Tricalcic phosphate</td>
<td colspan="5">3.5 g/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese unmatured or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">calculated as phosphorous pentoxide</td>
<td colspan="6">fresh. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Trisodic phosphate</td>
<td colspan="5">3.5 g/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Cheese unmatured or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">calculated as phosphorous pentoxide</td>
<td colspan="6">fresh. Processed</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Gelatin</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Glucone-delta-Iactone</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh, or in</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">brine</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Arabic gum</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Carob gum</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Guar gum</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Karaya gum</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Xanthan gum</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Lecithin</td>
<td colspan="5">5 g/kg alone or combined</td>
<td colspan="6">Processed cheese.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Mono and diglycerides</td>
<td colspan="5">2g/kg of fat</td>
<td colspan="6">Products elaborated with</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">ingredients or similar</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">aspect.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Nisine</td>
<td colspan="5">12.5 mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="4">All products.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">(maximum level in finished product)</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Potassium nitrate</td>
<td colspan="5">50mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured pressed hard</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">cheese</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Sodium nitrate</td>
<td colspan="5">50mg/kg</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured pressed hard</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">cheese</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Paprika oleoresin</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="4">All products.</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Pectins<sup>1</sup></td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">Processed</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Pepsin derived from</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">To curdle milk</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">ruminant stomachs and</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">porcines</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Pimaracine</td>
<td colspan="5">20mg/kg only for treatment of</td>
<td colspan="6">Matured cheese. Absent</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">superficial area or</td>
<td colspan="6">at a depth of 5 mm.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Calcium proprianate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh. (for</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">slicing, cuts grated or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4">shredded).</td>
<td colspan="2">Processed.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Potassium proprianate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6" rowspan="3"><p>Unmatured or fresh. (for</p>
<p>slicing, cuts grated or</p>
<p>shredded). Processed.</p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Sodium proprianate</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh. (for</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">slicing, cuts grated or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="6">sh redded). Processed.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Quimosine A derived</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">To curdle milk</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">from E. coli K12,</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">containing proquimosme</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">B gene of calves</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"><p>Quimosine B derived</p>
<p>from <em>Kluvveromices</em></p>
<p><em>lactis,</em> containing</p>
<p>proquimosine B gene of</p>
<p>calves</p></td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">To curdle milk</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Riboflavin</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="5">All products.</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Renine, derived from</td>
<td colspan="5">GMP</td>
<td colspan="6">To curdle milk.</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"><em>Bacillus cereus</em></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2">Potasium sorbate</td>
<td colspan="5">1,000 mg/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh. (for</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">expresed as sorbic acid</td>
<td colspan="6">slicing, cuts grated or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="5">shredded).</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2">Sodium sorbate</td>
<td colspan="5">1,000 mg/kg alone or combined,</td>
<td colspan="6">Unmatured or fresh. (for</td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5">expresed as sorbic acid</td>
<td colspan="6">slicing, cuts grated or</td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="5">shredded),</td>
<td>Processed.</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

GMP = Good manufacturing practices

**Sampling:**

Sampling of products must be performed in accordance with the
regulations specified in this proposed NOM and the applicable referenced
NOMs.

**Test Method:**

Testing of products must be performed in accordance with the regulations
specified in this proposed NOM and the applicable referenced NOMs.

Verification of physical and chemical specifications under this law must
be done according to Norms, as specified in the references.

**Labeling:**

In addition to the provisions of the specific NOM for labeling,
NOM-051-SCFI-1994, processed cheese products under this proposed NOM
must also use the regulations specified in the applicable referenced
NOMs.

**Packing and Wrapping:**

[Container:]{.underline} Products under this NOM will be packed in
sanitary containers made of innocuous materials resistant to change
during processing, so that products do not react or change their
chemical, physical or organoleptic characteristics.

[Packaging:]{.underline} Resistant materials will be used to offer
adequate protection for containers and prevent external damage, while
providing ease in handling, storage and distribution.

**Possible areas of concern:**

Public health inspectors will also take samples of cheese products under
this NOM at warehouses and sales points to monitor the compliance of the
product with the specifications of this NOM. Any positive laboratory
results from samples taken at the border or at the warehouse/sales
points will initiate an investigation to determinate the origin and/or
cause of the deficiency/problem. If the investigation result indicates
the problem was due to plant deficiencies, sanctions will be implemented
ranging from the administrative type to cancellation of import permits
for the producing plant.

This proposed NOM is partially equivalent to other international rules
such as CXFH 9706 July 1997. Pre-project of code of higienic practice in
the manufacture of cheeses uncured

nor matured and soft matured cheese. Furthermore, this proposed NOM is
not equivalent to other Mexican standards.

**For More Information:** *AgMexico@usda.gov*

*Fax:* 011-52-55-5080-2776

**Internet Connections**

*FAS Mexico Web Site:* We are available at http://www.fas-Ia.com/mexico
or visit our headquarter home page at http://www.fas.usda.gov for a
complete selection of FAS\' worldwide agricultural reporting.

***Useful Mexican Web Sites:*** Mexico\'s equivalent of the Department
of Agriculture (SAGARPA) can be found at www.sagarpa.gob.mx and
Mexico\'s equivalent of the Department of Commerce (SE) can be found at
www.se.gob.mx These web sites are mentioned for the readers\'
convenience but USDA does NOT in any way endorse, guarantee the accuracy
of, or necessarily concur with the information contained on the
mentioned sites.