What compounds were found in the cheeses that were banned in Mexico?
The Ministry of Economy and the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (Profeco) prohibited the sale of certain brands of cheese, after verifying that they do not comply with the provisions of the Official Mexican Standards, for which an immediate ban on their commercialization was ordered. But what compounds did they find in these products? Here we explain it to you.
Between non-compliance detected by the agency that led to the prohibition of the sale of certain cheeses, are:
- Adding vegetable fat to replace milk
- Do not report the percentage of caseinate use.
The Official Mexican Standard establishes a series of conditions that products must meet to be cheese. | Photo: Internet.
What is vegetable fat?
Vegetable fats are a type of nutrient that is obtained from plant species such as soy, sunflower or coconut., some of which can be considered healthy fats, according to the United States National Library of Medicine (NIH).
The Official Mexican Standard PROY-NOM-223-SCFI/SAGARPA-2017 indicates that "the commercial name of Cheese is reserved for products made with milk and products obtained from milk, which do not contain fat or proteins of other origin", Therefore, it is not allowed to use any other type of fat, such as vegetable fat, in its preparation.
“In the manufacture of cheese, the following products cannot be used: fatty substances not typical of the milk used […])”
Official Mexican Standard
What are caseinates?
The caseinates found in the cheese brands analyzed by authorities are a type of protein that comes from the main milk protein called casein, which are frequently used as a preservative, improve products with amino acids and improve the general nutritional value of a product, indicates Lácteos Latam, a site specialized in the dairy industry in Latin America.
It is commonly found in powder form and is soluble in water, has a high nutritional value and contains essential amino acids, carbohydrates, calcium and phosphorus.
However, caseinate products may have hidden forms of the monosodium glutamate which is harmful to health.
La Mexican regulations for cheeses notes that The use of caseinates is allowed as long as “the percentage content used is indicated, which cannot exceed a maximum of 2% of the final product, and that it is specified on the main display surface of the label.
What should a cheese contain according to the NOM?
The Official Mexican Standard PROY-NOM-223-SCFI/SAGARPA-2017 also indicates certain characteristics for a cheese to be considered as such:
Made with milk indicating the animal from which it comes from.
Do not contain fats or proteins of other origin
Cultures of bacteria and harmless microorganisms
Safe and suitable enzymes
Sodium chloride
Calcium chloride
Potable water
