Effect of stakeholders’ perspectives on the Front-of-Pack Labeling regulation in Mexico

Abstract Background In Mexico, the inclusion of a Front-of-Pack Label in the Official Mexican Standard-051 (NOM-051 for its Spanish acronym) has been widely discussed for years by different stakeholder groups. In 2019, the NOM-051 modification project was proposed, which included front-of-pack warning labels. To be modified, it went through a public consultation period where stakeholders sent their comments to be reviewed and considered. The purpose of this study was to analyze the perspectives of key stakeholders during the public consultation of the NOM-051 modification project in order to understand their positions and their effect on the final public policy. Methods To analyze perspectives, the 795 comments received on the website of the National Commission for Regulatory Improvement were analyzed. Identity, expectations, and demands were identified from each comment using content analysis in NVivo. In addition, frequencies and percentages were obtained. To identify the public consultation’s effect on the modification project, we compared the most significant changes made to the NOM-051 modification project with the outstanding demands of the stakeholders. Results 56% of the comments were against the NOM-051 modification project. Industry and Business Interest Non-Governmental Organizations were against it, they considered that their revenues and profits would be affected. Public Interest Non-Governmental Organizations, academy and health professionals were in favor, they expected that eating habits would improve and demanded the front-of-pack warning label suggested in the modification proposal be maintained. The published regulation (NOM-051) demonstrates that the stakeholders’ main demands were considered in the policy development and their involvement was fundamental for the process. Conclusions The comments against the NOM-051 modification project were consistent with the literature, indicating that food industry stakeholders use all possible strategies to interfere in public health policies. The main issues used by the food industry to discredit the NOM-051 modification project coincide with those used in other countries to stop public health policies and with those used by the tobacco industry to avoid market regulations. On the other hand, those in favor looked after the interests of the Mexican population.