The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MCI) of Haiti reminded manufacturers, importers and distributors of food products of the obligation to label all prepackaged products.

This measure is based on Article 14 of the Decree of March 11, 2020, which sets standards for the safety of goods and services, as well as consumer protection.

Labels must include essential information, such as :

- Trade name;

- Net quantity in the international metric system;

- Date of manufacture;

- Expiration date;

- Instructions and warnings for use and storage;

- Country of origin;

- Lot #, name or business name and address of the manufacturer, packer or distributor;

- Any other specific information required.

Furthermore, according to Article 15 of the same decree, this information must be presented in a national language (French or Creole) that is understandable and readable for consumers.

The Ministry's inspectors will be responsible for ensuring compliance with these regulations and it has been announced that as of October 1st, 2024, all products that do not comply with these provisions will be withdrawn from the market.

However, according to an expert on the subject, he considers that the implementation of this measure does not correspond to the deadlines to effectively make the changes, and affirms that this type of actions should be carried out through technical tables that are developed as negotiation tables where there is an implementation process that protects the consumer, but that encourages the industry, wherever it is, to adapt to the new regulations.

IH/ iciHaiti