Food Safety

Central America's economic ministers granted a six-month extension, to January 15, 2027, for food and beverage makers to use up existing printed labels listing erythrosine (Red No. 3), a dye banned last year after US regulators linked it to cancer in animal tests.

Honduras has controlled an avian influenza outbreak in a commercial farm and is preparing technical documentation to resume poultry and egg exports to regional trading partners.

Spain will resume exporting pork to Honduras under national health controls and monitoring protocols, as Honduran pork producers watch how the reopened market develops.

Authorities in Santa Bárbara culled 32,000 birds at a farm in San Pedro Zacapa after confirming a case of H5 avian influenza, and have quarantined the facility; officials say the outbreak is under control and eggs and chicken remain safe for consumers.

Senasa director Rafael Rodríguez affirmed that Honduras remains disease-free in its pig herds, a status he said strengthens domestic pork production and ensures safe meat for consumers.