MEXICO CITY (AP) — A government-sponsored junk food ban at schools across Mexico came into effect on Saturday, authorities said the country is trying to tackle one of the world’s worst obesity and diabetes epidemics.
Health Guidelines First published last falltake a direct photo of the salty and sweet processed products that have become classics for Mexican school children, including sweet fruit drinks, packaged chips, artificial pork skins, and soy-covered chili-flavored peanuts.
Announcing that the ban had become law, Mexican Ministry of Education posted on X: “Farewell, junk food!” And it encouraged parents to support the government’s crusades by cooking healthy meals for their children.
Ambitious attempts to reshape Mexican food culture and reprogram the next generation of consumers are being watched closely all over the world as governments struggle to change the tide Global obesity epidemic.
In the USfor example, the Secretary of Health of the Trump administration, Robert F. Kennedy Jr.vowing to overturn the country’s food system. Make America healthy again “By targeting ultra-processed foods Inhibitory obesity And sick.
Under Mexico’s new order, schools should display food and drinks One black warning logo too It contains a lot of salt, sugar, calories and fat. Mexico implemented it Forced Package Labeling System for 2020.
The junk food ban, which was forced from Monday morning, the start of school week, also requires schools to offer more nutritious alternatives to junk foods such as bean tacos and provide regular drinking water.
“It’s much better to eat bean tacos than a bag of potato chips.” Mexican President Claudia Sinbaumwho defended the effort.
According to UNICEF, Mexican children consume more junk food than anywhere else in Latin America. This classifies the country’s childhood obesity epidemic as an emergency. Sugared drinks and highly processed foods account for 40% of the total calories children consume in a day, the agency reports.
According to government statistics, a third of Mexican children are already considered overweight or obese.
The school administrators who are violated for breaching their orders have violated harsh fines in the range of $545 to $5,450.
But enforcement brings challenges in the country Previous junk food ban They struggle to gain traction at 255,000 schools in Mexico, many of whom do not have water fountains or even reliable internet or electricity.
It was also not immediately clear how the government was banning the sale of junk food on sidewalks outside school campuses. There, street vendors usually hok the kids candies, chips, nachos and ice cream during breaks and after school day is over.
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