The certification process for NOM-186-SSA1/SCFI-2013, an Official Mexican Standard governing sanitary and commercial specifications for cocoa-based products and chocolate, ensures that these products comply with safety, quality, and labeling requirements for sale in Mexico. Issued by the Secretaría de Salud (Secretary of Health) and Secretaría de Economía (Secretary of Economy), the standard was published on September 10, 2013, and became effective on November 10, 2013. Certification verifies that cocoa products and chocolate meet sanitary thresholds (e.g., microbiological and chemical safety) and commercial requirements (e.g., accurate labeling of cocoa content), protecting consumer health and ensuring transparency. As of April 10, 2025, certification for NOM-186-SSA1/SCFI-2013 involves a structured process managed by accredited bodies under Mexico’s regulatory framework, enforced by COFEPRIS (Federal Commission for Protection Against Sanitary Risks) and PROFECO (Federal Consumer Protection Agency). Below is a detailed description of the certification
process based on the standard and general NOM compliance practices.

Certification Process for NOM-186-SSA1/SCFI-2013:

1. Scope of Certification:

  • Applies to pre-packaged cocoa products (e.g., cocoa powder, cocoa butter) and chocolate products (e.g., bars, tablets, confectionery) for human consumption, whether domestically produced or imported.
  • Excludes non-food products or those under other NOMs (e.g., dietary supplements).

Product Testing:

  • Sanitary Tests:
  • Microbiological analysis to confirm absence of pathogens (e.g., Salmonella, E. coli) and compliance with mold or yeast limits.
  • Chemical tests for contaminants (e.g., lead, cadmium, pesticide residues), per Codex Alimentarius and Mexican limits.
  • Physical inspection for foreign matter (e.g., debris).
  • Commercial Tests:

NOM-186-SSA1/SCFI-2013

NOM-225-SCFI-2019

  • Verification of cocoa content through compositional analysis to ensure claims match the standard’s definitions (e.g., minimum 35% cocoa solids for milk chocolate).
  • Nutritional content validation (e.g., sugar, fat levels) to confirm labeling accuracy.
  • Tests are conducted using methods specified in NOM-186 or referenced standards (e.g., NMX-F series for food analysis).

2. Accredited Certification Bodies:

  • Certification must be conducted by accredited entities and approved by the Secretaría de Economía or Secretaría de Salud.

Key Certification Considerations:

  • Sanitary Focus: COFEPRIS prioritizes health safety, requiring rigorous testing for contaminants due to cocoa’s susceptibility to heavy metals (e.g., cadmium in Latin American cocoa).
  • Commercial Accuracy : PROFECO enforces labeling truthfulness, ensuring cocoa content and nutritional claims are not misleading (e.g., distinguishing “chocolate” from “chocolate-flavored” products).
  • NOM-051 Overlap: The 2020 amendment to NOM-051-SCFI/SSA1-2010, fully effective by April 1, 2025, mandates front-of-package warning labels for products exceeding thresholds for calories, sugars, sodium, or fats. Certifiers verify these labels for chocolate products high in sugar or fat, aligning NOM-186 with NOM-051 requirements.

Safety Certifications