Front of Pack (FOP) symbols are required on most packaged foods sold in Mexico. These symbols and their respective requirements were updated in March 2020, with their roll out in three distinct phases. The final phase begins October 1, 2025. NutriCalc uses this phase-three criteria to determine the need for the symbols.
The symbols are for products that contain excess calories, sugars, saturated fats, trans fats, and/or sodium as defined by the NOM (Norma Oficial Mexicana). This information refers to the Official Mexican Standard.
NutriCalc automatically determines if your product needs one or more FOP symbols. Required symbols are then available to download.
To view/generate Mexico FOP symbols
- Open the recipe.
- Navigate to Labels and select the Mexico FOP Label.
- If the product is honey, syrup, or fruit juice, check that box.
Note: The symbols are based on that is referred to as "free sugars". Free sugars are added sugars plus the naturally occurring sugars in honey, syrup, and fruit juice. In most cases, NutriCalc will evaluate the sugars based on the Added Sugars amount. However, if the product is a honey, syrup, or fruit juice, NutriCalc evaluates using the Total Sugars amount. - Click Generate Label.
- Any symbols required when the nutrients of concern exceed their thresholds will appear here. If your package requires more than one symbol, all symbols will be included in their correct layouts for 2, 3, 4 or 5 symbols. If there is more than one allowed layout, both will be shown. In addition, the single-number symbol will be displayed.
Use this chart to size your symbols
This is an example of a Mexico Front of Pack label. By clicking on the ellipsis in the upper right of this window, there are options including Save as Image and Export to PDF.