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In an aggressive move to tackle the nation’s severe childhood obesity crisis, Mexican schools have been given six months to eliminate junk food sales or face hefty fines. The government initiative, announced in late September 2024, targets sugary drinks, chips, and other processed snacks that have become dietary staples for generations of Mexican children. Schools that fail to comply with the new regulations could face fines ranging from $545 to $5,450, with penalties doubling for repeat offenses. This could represent a significant financial strain, particularly for rural schools where wages are lower.
This initiative is part of Mexico’s broader effort to reduce obesity, as the country faces one of the world’s highest rates of childhood obesity. A third of Mexican children are considered overweight or obese, with many deriving nearly 40% of their daily calories from junk food, according to UNICEF.
While similar measures have been tried before, they were met with limited success. A survey conducted between 2023 and 2024 revealed that junk food is still available in nearly 98% of Mexican schools, with sugary drinks being sold in 95% of them. This highlights the ongoing challenge of enforcing such bans effectively.
To support the ban, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has suggested that schools offer healthier alternatives, like bean tacos and hibiscus flower water, instead of chips and sodas. However, this push for healthier options is complicated by infrastructure issues, as only about 4% of Mexico’s 255,000 schools have access to free drinking water.
Although the focus is on regulating what is sold within schools, it remains unclear how the government will address the vendors who set up shop just outside school grounds. These stands, which sell similar unhealthy snacks, are found outside 77% of schools and present a significant loophole in the effort to curb junk food consumption.
This campaign marks a renewed effort to improve children’s diets and reduce obesity-related health risks. However, the success of the ban will depend on enforcement, infrastructure improvements, and sustained political will.
