Mexico bans junk food in schools

11 April 2025

The 2020–2022 National Health and Nutrition Survey reveals that 36.5% of schoolchildren in Mexico, approximately six million children, are overweight or obese. Additionally, these children face stunting, underweight, and deficiencies in micronutrients such as zinc, vitamin B12, and vitamin D.

To combat unhealthy diets and the obesity crisis, Nutrition Insight reports that Mexico has banned junk food in schools. Junk food includes ultra-processed foods and sugary beverages like crisps, biscuits, sweets, and fizzy drinks. Unhealthy diets, characterised by high consumption of these products, are linked not only to obesity but also to metabolic syndrome, other non-communicable diseases, nutrient deficiencies, and increased environmental pollution. An international study on food policies found that Mexican children have easier access to sweet desserts, salty snacks, and sugary drinks than to fruits, vegetables, and water fountains.

The initiative promotes healthy alternatives, such as regional and seasonal plants without added sugar or salt, and encourages the consumption of plain water and nutrition education. It also monitors food preparation and vendor compliance.

The government has updated the General Education Law and the “Vive Saludable, Vive Feliz” programme to promote health education, physical activity, and obesity prevention, while making flour fortification mandatory. Measures include monitoring weight, height, and body mass index in schools, and launching guidelines that regulate the sale and distribution of prepared and processed foods and beverages, as well as promoting healthy eating habits and physical activity.