Federal Consumer Protection Office (Profeco)
Profeco, headquartered in Mexico City, Mexico, operates under the Ministry of Economy and functions nationwide to enforce consumer protection laws and regulations. It plays a significant role in the dairy market by monitoring the quality and safety of food products and disseminating information to assist consumers in making informed purchasing decisions.
Recent Initiatives
Recently, Profeco released guidelines to help consumers identify quality yellow cheese, a staple in many Mexican households. These guidelines are part of Profeco's ongoing initiatives to educate consumers and ensure that products in the market meet nutritional and safety standards. According to these guidelines, a quality yellow cheese should have a uniform color, a firm yet non-brittle texture, and be made from natural ingredients without excessive preservatives or artificial coloring. They emphasize the importance of checking labels for terms like "produced with real milk" and caution against "cheese-flavored" products.
Impact and Future Plans
Profeco aims to enhance consumer awareness and promote better industry standards through these initiatives. By increasing consumer awareness, they encourage producers to adhere to higher standards. Profeco plans to continue its campaigns focusing on various consumer goods, with the ongoing goal of safeguarding consumer interests and promoting fair trade practices in Mexico.
Important Events
Profeco recently issued an alert over the sale of fake cheeses in Veracruz, highlighting non-compliance with the Official Mexican Standards (NOM) that define cheese. The alert stresses the need for stricter inspections to ensure products sold as cheese contain raw milk and the declared ingredients. Additionally, on January 19, 2026, Profeco conducted an investigation into products marketed as yogurt, discovering several products did not meet the standards required for yogurt labeling. This initiative is part of Profeco's ongoing efforts to protect consumers and ensure dairy products in the market meet official quality criteria.
Modified: 2026/01/20