As of next Saturday, March 29, the sale and promotion of junk food in the 258,689 Mexico schools registered in the national education system will be prohibited. The measure seeks to reduce cases of overweight, obesity and diabetes in the child population of the country.
Mario Delgado, head of the Ministry of Public Education (SEP), said the restriction will have a reduced impact on sales of processed food and beverages. He also said that it has been well received by parents and teaching staff. He informed that “it has been elaborated A manualbecause not only must we point out what is prohibited, but also offer options on what can be sold within educational schools. “
Examples of products that cannot be sold:
- Fried peanut and added salt
- Flour Friture
- Donuts
- Flan
- Burgers
- hot dog
- Cash juices, nectars, soft drinks or gasified drinks
- French fries
- Cakes
- Pizza
- Pork and flour pumps
- Hueitos
- Fruits in syrup
- Whole cream or half cream
- Sweets or sweets
- Palets or cream ice cream
- Industrialized flavor waters
- Flavored milks
- Nachos with cheese
- Industrialized snacks
Nor can they be sold:
- Food and drinks with warning stamps or legends in the packaging.
- Loose foods and beverages or bulk that in their original packaging, had stamps or warning legends.
- Food or drinks that include ingredients with stamps or warning legends.
For 14 years, in the country there is a regulation that limits the marketing of sugary drinks and processed foods with high levels of sugar, fat and salt in basic level schools. The intention is to avoid damage to the health of infants and prevent early cases of diabetes and obesity, conditions linked to the main causes of death in Mexico.
However, the Civil Organization of the Consumer ensures that these products are still available in cooperatives and school stores. According to data from the 2023-2024 school year, in 9 out of 10 schools junk food was offered to students. Besides, 95% of campuses market sugary drinks79% sell soft drinks and in 77% the presence of external vendors with unhealthy products is reported.
Obesity in Mexico represents a serious public health crisis. Currently, 36.9% of the adult population lives with this condition, and it is estimated that by 2030 the figure could reach 45%. According to the most recent National Health and Nutrition Survey (Ensenut), 75% of adults, 41% of adolescents and 35% of children have overweight or obesity.
According to the Ensenut, more than 12 million inhabitants of between 5 and 19 years suffer from these conditions. At the same time, more than 55% of Mexican households face some degree of food insecurity. In the Mexican Republic, about 80 million adults live with overweight or obesity, and the prevalence of this condition has increased almost 58% in the last two decades. This panorama has positioned Mexico in the fifth world place in obesity, consolidating the problem as an urgent challenge that requires immediate attention.
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