General Requirements for Imports

• Health Notification
• Notificación Sanitaria (NSA);
• Sanitary Permit (Permiso Sanitario - PSA); and
• Health Registration (Registro Sanitario - RSA).

Additives, contaminants, antimicrobials, and residues

Resolution N. 776 of 2008 (Resolución N. 776 de 2008): Provides guidance in its table 2 about additives, their standards, and their maximum levels.

The legal text is available at the following link only in Spanish version:
https://www.arlsura.com/images/stories/ambiental/alimentos/res_776_de_2008.pdf

Resolution N. 122 of 2012 (Resolución N. 122 de 2012): Provides guidance in its tables 1, 3, 4 and 6A about histamine, dioxinas, PCB and heavy metals, their standards, and their maximum levels.

Microbiological and organic criteria

Resolution N. 122 of 2012 (Resolución N. 122 de 2012): Provides guidance about the microbiological criteria in fishery and aquaculture products.

Resolution N. 776 of 2008 (Resolución N. 776 de 2008): Provides guidance about the histamine maximum levels permitted in fishery and aquaculture products.

The legal text is available at the following link only in Spanish version:
https://www.suin-juriscol.gov.co/viewDocument.asp?ruta=Resolucion/30033958

Decree N. 561 of 1984 (Decreto N. 561 de 1984): Laying down food safety standards for certain fishery products, regarding the organoleptic characteristics.

You can find the legal text at the following link only available in Spanish version:
https://www.redjurista.com/Documents/decreto_561_de_1984_presidencia_de_la_republica.aspx#/

Labelling and packaging

Resolution N. 5109 of 2005 (Resolución N. 5109 de 2005): Provides guidance about labelling and packaging requirements.
For products imported in Colombia, a label must include the following information:

• Name of the food;
• List of ingredients;
• Net content and drained weight;
  
• Name and address of the manufacturer;
  
• Lot identification;
  
• Marking of expiration date and storage instructions;
  
• Instructions for use; and
  
• Registration, permit or health notification.

Resolution N. 333 of 2011: Establishes the nutritional labelling requirements for most packaged food products.

The following nutrients require mandatory declaration:

• Energy content (total calories, fat calories)
  
• Protein content
  
• Total fat
  
• Saturated fat
  
• Trans fats
  
• Cholesterol
  
• Sodium
  
• Carbohydrates
  
• Dietary fiber and sugars
  
• Vitamin content (A and C)
  
• Iron and calcium
  
• Content of vitamins and minerals other than those mentioned above when they have been included into the product
  
• Saturated fat proteins, monounsaturated fat, polyunsaturated, soluble, and insoluble fiber, polyalcohol’s, potassium.
  
• Content of other nutrients when there is a declaration of nutritional or healthy properties including food for infants.

You can find here the Resolution, available in Spanish version

Traceability

Law N. 9 of 1979 (Ley N. 9 DE 1979): Establishes a system of responsibility for recall, in terms of both specific measures and procedures of reporting to the relevant administrative organs. This system allows all importers to recall specific products and outlines a traceability system.

The legal text is available at the following link only in Spanish version: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/Normatividad_Nuevo/LEY%200009%20DE%201979.pdf 

Law N. 599 of 2000 (Ley N. 599 de 2000): Aims in its Article 328C at combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing.

You can find the Law at the following link, available in Spanish version: https://www.funcionpublica.gov.co/eva/gestornormativo/norma_pdf.php?i=6388 

How do you find the most recent consolidated version of the regulations?

The legal texts can be found at the following link, by clicking on the icon of the specific legal text you wish to consult. The legal texts are available only in Spanish version: https://www.minsalud.gov.co/Normativa/Paginas/normativa.aspx

Related links