MEXICO CITY — A new regulation aimed at combatting childhood obesity in Mexico was enacted on Saturday, banning the sale of junk food in schools throughout the country. This initiative comes as part of the nation’s broader effort to confront a severe obesity and diabetes crisis.
The guidelines, initially released last fall, explicitly target foods high in salt and sugar which have long been popular among Mexican children. These include sugary drinks, packaged snacks like chips, artificial pork rinds, and spicy, soy-encased peanuts. By making this ban official, Mexican authorities are pushing for a significant cultural shift in dietary habits at the educational level.
Mexico’s Education Ministry marked the new law by declaring, “Farewell, junk food!” on social media, further urging parents to prepare healthier meals for their children. Mario Delgado, the public health secretary, emphasized that a key component of the new school system is promoting healthy lifestyles, noting that parents largely support this move.
This initiative is being closely watched globally, as many nations deal with rising obesity rates. In the United States, similar discussions are occurring, with officials considering plans to overhaul the national food system to reduce the prevalence of processed foods.
Under Mexico’s new regulations, schools must eliminate foods labeled with black warning logos, which indicate high levels of salt, sugar, calories, and fat. This labeling system was instituted in 2020. Starting Monday, schools are also required to offer healthier options like bean tacos and ensure access to plain water.
President Claudia Sheinbaum, who has been a proponent of this legislation, remarked, “It is much better to eat a bean taco than a bag of potato chips.” This sentiment underscores the significant dietary shift the government is advocating for.
According to UNICEF, Mexican children have the highest consumption of junk food in Latin America, and the organization views the associated obesity rates as alarming. It reports that sugary drinks and highly processed foods make up 40% of children’s daily calorie intake. This shift aims to radically alter these statistics.
Parents have expressed optimism about the change. Aurora Martínez, a mother, shared that her daughter’s school plans to replace candy with healthier options like fruits and vegetables during activities, which she believes will be beneficial.
Currently, one in three Mexican children is considered overweight or obese, highlighting the urgency of this policy. Schools that fail to comply with the new law could face hefty fines, ranging from $545 to $5,450.
However, enforcing these rules could prove challenging. Past efforts to reduce junk food consumption have met resistance, and monitoring across Mexico’s numerous schools has been inconsistent. Many schools lack basic amenities like water fountains, as well as reliable internet and electricity, complicating enforcement efforts.
Additionally, it is unclear how authorities plan to control the sale of unhealthy snacks by street vendors outside of school premises, where children often purchase treats during breaks and after school.
Despite these hurdles, child therapist Abril Geraldine Rose de León remains optimistic, stating, “It will be difficult, but it will be achieved in the long run.” Such determination reflects the hope that these measures will foster a healthier future for the nation’s youth.