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The Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganadería (MAG) seeks to expand its role in food safety oversight through a reform proposal submitted to the Legislative Assembly, which aims to have the institution not only certify and supervise meat, aquaculture, and fishery products, but also incorporate categories such as dairy products, dairy blends, honey, and egg products.
The initiative proposes a key change to Article 79 of the current regulations, which is currently transitional in nature and limited to certain products. The proposal seeks to make it a permanent and broader provision, covering various foods and establishing clearer rules regarding their certification and control.
Under the proposal, the MAG would be responsible for certifying the manufacturing processes for these products, as well as for validating both domestic and foreign establishments involved in their production, processing, or marketing. In addition, it would be granted the authority to implement health control measures throughout the entire production chain.
In the case of dairy products, it is proposed that these must comply with current regional technical regulations, particularly regarding the use of dairy terms, in order to ensure transparency and quality standards.
The proposal also includes an amendment to paragraph 34 of Article 4, which currently sets out the MAG’s powers in general terms. With this change, these powers would be explicitly detailed, providing greater clarity regarding its functions in the areas of certification and health control.
It also includes the repeal of Article 80, which stipulated that, starting in 2027, the Superintendency of Health Regulation would assume jurisdiction over processed and semi-processed animal feed, which would entail a redefinition of institutional responsibilities.
According to the official justification, the proposed reform responds to the need to strengthen compliance with the law passed in april 2025 and to ensure clearer procedures for certification and health control. The objective is to precisely define the authority responsible for these processes, contributing to the protection of human health, animal health, and economic well-being.
If approved, the initiative would take effect eight days after its publication in the Official Gazette, establishing a new framework for food health regulation in the country.
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