Various other major companies, including PlayStation, find themselves in disputes with Profeco.
The Mexican Federal Consumer Protection Agency (PROFECO) has been active in enforcing consumer protection laws, particularly in the areas of product health standards, truthful labeling, and market honesty. In recent months, the agency has targeted several major brands, including digital platforms, supermarkets, ticket booths, and others, over various complaints.
One controversy involved Ticketmaster, where 2,155 consumers were unable to enter Bad Bunny concerts on December 9 and 10, 2022, despite having valid tickets. The conflict and negotiations between PROFECO and Ticketmaster resulted in the refund of ticket costs plus compensation, which began in March 2023 and was fully completed.
Another issue involved the review of tickets in wholesale stores such as Costco and Sam's Club. The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation validated the fine imposed by the Prosecutor's Office on New Walmart de México for reviewing tickets. However, it's not specified whether the fine has been paid.
PROFECO has also demanded that Sony display the prices of the PlayStation 5 (PS5), PS5 Digital Edition, and PlayStation 5 Pro consoles in pesos instead of dollars. It's not yet clear whether the precautionary measure has resulted in any changes.
In a separate issue, PROFECO issued a precautionary measure due to the refusal to refund tickets for the possible absence of some announced artists at a festival, but the specifics are not detailed.
Recent complaints against Walmart, Coppel, Mercado Libre, Liverpool, and Amazon.com.mx have not been specified. However, in 2024, PROFECO received the most complaints from Walmart with 4,681, followed by Coppel with 3,106, Mercado Libre with 1,697, Liverpool with 1,644, and Amazon.com.mx with 1,259.
In addition to these controversies, PROFECO announced on August 21, 2025, that instant soups from brands such as Buldak and Ottogui Ramen are banned due to high sodium, high calorie content, and low nutritional value. Nearly 130,000 units from 12 brands, including Knorr and Myojo, were seized for violations such as non-compliant labeling, false claims, excessive salt content, or unhealthy packaging.
The agency also highlighted prevalent fish fraud across Mexico, where popular fish like grouper and tilapia are often substituted with cheaper species in markets and restaurants. This fraudulent substitution is more prominent in Mexico City, with rates near 50%, while cities like Mérida experience around 33%. PROFECO advised consumers to buy seafood from trustworthy places that display whole fish or sell less expensive varieties transparently to avoid being deceived.
Overall, these controversies reflect PROFECO's active role in enforcing consumer protection laws and its commitment to preserving consumer rights. No recent conflicts involving legislative interference were reported; PROFECO has asked legislators to refrain from intervening to preserve its mission.
[1] Source: PROFECO press release, August 21, 2025. [2] Source: PROFECO press release, September 10, 2023. [3] Source: PROFECO press release, March 15, 2024. [4] Source: PROFECO press release, May 1, 2024.
- The news regarding PROFECO's enforcement actions against several businesses, such as Ticketmaster, Walmart, and various digital platforms, has been prevalent in general-news outlets, with the agency addressing concerns ranging from ticket refunds to product health standards.
- There have been recent financial implications for companies like New Walmart de México, forced to pay fines due to violations in product labeling, as well as businesses in the tech sector, such as Ticketmaster, which had to refund ticket costs and provide compensation to consumers, following disputes over market honesty. Additionally, politics has played a role, with PROFECO urging legislators to refrain from interfering in its consumer protection mission.
