During negotiations for updates to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), the Trump administration is reportedly seeking to stop the enactment of laws mandating adoption of front-of -package symbols that "inappropriately denotes that a hazard exists from consumption of food or non-alcoholic beverages."

United States Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, confirmed before a congressional committee recently that he is indeed pursuing this provision, arguing that national food labeling policies are "protectionist."

The Grocery Manufacturers Association, which sits on the advisory board to the trade talks, says it favors voluntary labeling programs. The group says it "supports a modernized NAFTA that will ensure standards are based on science, minimize unnecessary trade barriers, and benefit consumers in all three countries."

Officials in Mexico and Canada are reportedly considering regulatory actions similar to those in Chile, which requires symbol-based warning labels on the front of food products that contain high levels of salt, sugar, calories, and saturated fat - otherwise referred to as "black-box" warnings. The Chilean restrictions include a ban on the use of cartoon characters like Tony the Tiger.