The Mexican government will ban the sale of junk food — such as chips and sodas — in schools across the country beginning in March 2025, according to the Public Education Ministry (SEP).
This decision, which is part of a reform to the General Education Law, seeks to eradicate childhood obesity and promote healthier eating habits among students.
“We know that some sectors of the industry, especially those who produce this food with low nutritional value and high levels of calories — junk food as we know it — will not like [the ban],” Education Minister Mario Delgado told reporters at a press conference in Tabasco on Friday. “We are one of the countries with the world’s highest levels of childhood obesity and we can’t continue like this anymore,” he stressed.
According to the National Health Survey, 98% of schools sell junk food; 95% sell sugary drinks; 79% offer soda; 77% offer junk food for sale in the vicinity of the school and 25% allow junk food advertising.
What are the new rules for food in schools?
During her Monday morning press conference, Sheinbaum presented new regulations that were published in the Official Gazette of the Federation (DOF) on Sept. 30, aimed at ensuring nutrition and health for students in Mexico.
The foods offered at schools must comply with the following requirements:
- Foods must be of natural origin or minimally processed
- Seasonal fruits and vegetables must be offered
- For foods of animal origin, only poultry, such as chicken and turkey, is allowed and must be prepared without fat and skin
- These foods should be cooked using minimal sugar and oil
- Access to drinking water must be guaranteed, free of charge
- Caffeinated drinks are prohibited
The new rules will become effective on March 29, 2025, and will be mandatory throughout the National Education System. Schools that do not comply will be subject to fines of between 545 and 5,450 pesos.
The reform also seeks to shift children’s eating habits away from unhealthy Mexican staples, including chilaquiles, tacos de canasta and quesadillas. School cafeterias are advised not to serve these types of meals to students.
Delgado also said that the ministry would carry out an educational campaign for all parties involved, including school principals, parents and teachers, among others.
This is the third time that the federal government has attempted to ban junk food in schools.
In May 2014, the government published a set of guidelines for the sale and distribution of prepared and processed foods and beverages in schools in the DOF. While some schools have tried to enforce the guidelines in the past decade, the most recent results of the SEP’s nationwide survey suggest that they have been unsuccessful.
Childhood obesity statistics in Mexico
According to the latest results from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT, 2023), it is estimated that between 7 and 8% of infants (1-5 years old), 37.3% of school-age children (5–11 years old) and over 40% of adolescents (12–19 years old) are overweight or obese in Mexico. Meanwhile, 12% of children under five years of age show signs of malnutrition.
If this pattern continues, by 2030, it is estimated that 45% of adults in Mexico will be obese.
With reports from Swiss Info, El País, Reforma, La Jornada and Publimetro
Childhood malnutrition obesity is a crime and should be eradicated immediately. Why there isn’t a National full court press on health and nutrition is just a crime. Coke and every sugar water drink makes and all the snack companies need to be outlawed immediately. What is this national fat obsession? Good god…
Long long long overdue. But be positive: it’s a start. Next step: eliminate trans fats.
Great start! Should also ban use of seed oils, foods with dye and add into proteins beef and pork if not treated with mRNA “vaccines.”
This is terrific. Teach children how to eat properly when they are young, they will eat properly when they are adults. These “junk” foods are poison and should be regulated as such. At the very least, children will be provided one healthy meal each day. Physical activity should also be instructed and encouraged. Inactivity is like cancer. How fortunate school children in Mexico are. They will have healthy meals AND not have to worry about being murdered at school by an idiot kid with a gun.
This is the way forward: educate kids about healthy food at school and show them that exercise is fun and a great way to socialise.
Industrial food production has a lot to answer for and maximises its profits at the cost of consumers, who are deliberately being misled while governments look the other way and food industry and soft drink lobbyists dilute or neutralise efforts to reduce artificial colouring, lower sugar levels and promote healthy eating and drinking habits.
Tax sugar-heavy food and beverages. Sue Coca-cola for the damage caused to consumers and the environment through their use of non-recyclable plastics, the main source of ocean pollution!!
Well said, all of the above contributors.
Same here, well said by all of the above comments. Mexicans love their Coca Cola, they’re always walking out of the Oxxo’s here carrying large bottles of it, like it’s their “water”. Yuck!
This is such good news. Since Sept 7, I have been consuming a carnivore diet, the lab results are great and doctors are stunned, 2 days ago when I went to the U.S., the vascular surgeon in Tucson, after the ultrasound, said my circulation is perfect, he knew about my carnivore, he said keep doing what I’m doing, it’s working. Through this I have been researching and learning more and more about nasty foods and their effects on the body. Inflammation is gone, 41 lbs weight loss and other benefits.
These kids are fortunate to have someone looking out for them so they won’t be tempted to buy garbage and eat or drink it. Learning proper habits. Yes, more beef and healthier options. Education of the kitchen staff at schools too. Imagine if it continues as is, how many diabetics come out of this, losing their limbs? We see them every day on the streets in a wheelchair or crutches with their cup for money. I am so happy to hear this awesome news.