(CNN Spanish) -
More than 20 cheeses and two yogurts will not be able to continue being sold in Mexico after the Government banned their commercialization for violating the regulations on ingredients and food marketing.
Some of the affected companies, such as Mondelēz and Grupo Lala, have already responded to the decision, stating that it is unfounded.
The Ministry of Economy reported in a statement that a series of products that are presented as cheeses and natural yogurts do not comply with the Official Mexican Standards and their sale has been carried out "with information that can mislead consumers."
Philadelphia, Christmas Eve, Zwan and other cheese brands affected
The decision affects more than 20 cheeses from the brands Fud, Nochebuena, Premier Plus Cuadritos, Zwan, Caperucita, Burr, Precissimo, Frankly, Selecto Brand (from Chedraui stores), Galbani, Lala, El Parral, Portales, Walter, Sargento, Cremería Covadonga, Aurrera y Philadelphia, from Mondelēz.
In the case of natural yogurts, those affected are the brands Danone BeneGastro and Danone Natural.
The authorities also reported that the brands will be fined.
Now, if you are one of those who uses cream cheese to cook, be careful: Mondelēz Mexico reported that despite what the Ministry of Economy statement says, "none of the presentations" of that company's Philadelphia brand cream cheese is included in the prohibition.
This measure, the company said, affects only American-type processed cheese of this same brand.
The reasons for the ban
The Ministry of Economy explained that, in the case of cheeses, it identified four main breaches of the regulations.
On the one hand, products that included the legend "100% milk" without it being the case.
Second, products that use vegetable fat instead of the milk with which they should be made.
The authorities also mentioned that the weight was less than that indicated on the "net content" label.
Finally, the fourth main non-compliance identified was that the percentage of use of caseinates for cheese production was not reported "on the main display area".
The Ministry of Economy did not detail whether all the brands mentioned in the statement had fallen into the same breaches.
In the case of natural yogurts, the Secretariat said that it was found that they did not meet the minimum milk content.
In addition, it was detected that sugars had been added.
Similarly, the Ministry of Economy did not specify whether the two yogurt brands had fallen into both breaches.
What the regulations say
The Official Mexican Standard specifically regulates aspects related to the manufacture and marketing of cheese in the country.
This mandatory regulation establishes, among other points, that "fatty substances not typical of the milk used" may not be used in the production of cheeses.
In addition, it maintains that cheeses that have milk protein concentrates with casein or caseinates must indicate the percentage of this protein on the main surface of their labels.
You can check the full regulation here.
Companies Respond to Cheese Ban in Mexico
Mondelēz said in a statement that the decision of the Ministry of Economy, which affects its American-type processed cheese, "is totally unfounded."
He also affirmed that he has evidence that his product favorably passed quality controls.
Mondelēz said its production processes "comply with the strictest national and international standards."
Grupo Lala also reacted to the ban.
In a statement published on its social networks, the company said that its 400-gram sliced lactosed Manchego cheese complies with the specifications established in the regulations and that they are in contact with the authorities to "clarify" the situation.
"All our foods fully comply with the standards that regulate them," said Grupo Lala.
Fud said in a statement on Twitter that all its cheeses are 100% dairy products and that it is in contact with the authorities to confirm that it complies with the regulations.
Other pronouncements
In a statement on its website, the company Qualtia, which markets the brands Zwan, Caperucita, Sargento and Walter, said that the observations of the Ministry of Economy refer to five of its cheeses and that said observations were addressed “in time and shape".
The company also said that the arguments raised by the authorities "are related to commercial and label information, none have to do with food safety issues, or health risks."
Queso Portales pointed out on its Twitter account that its cheeses comply with current regulations, that they are made "100% pasteurized cow's milk" and that the corresponding bromatological analyzes were made.
Danone, a company affected by the complaint about two yogurts, said in a statement sent to CNN that the authorities made observations that were solved since October 1.
He also stated that he has already sent the product with new labeling to its customers.
The rest of the brands have not commented.