The Mexican Parliament has approved a law on tax reform, in connection with which new taxes have been introduced on fast food and soda. According to the new law, a tax of 8% is imposed on fast food, while for soda it is 1 peso (0.07 dollars) per liter. The Mexican government plans to ban junk food and drinks, such as sweets and soda, in government schools and their neighborhoods. This initiative was promoted by the UNICEF Foundation in the country, where obesity is a serious problem.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, speaking on the initiative, stated that 258,000 schools across the country must replace the sale of soda and chips with bottled mineral water and local seasonal products. UNICEF representative in Mexico, Fernando Carrera, confirmed in a statement that the organization supports this approach, ensuring "the right to receive complete, nutritious food" for children and adolescents.
He noted that this step represents a "fight against pressing problems arising from improper nutrition in the country, including increased weight and obesity among children." According to the words of the Minister of Education, Mario Delgado, in Mexico, 5.7 million students aged five to eleven years suffer from obesity, and 10.4 million in the age range of 12 to 19 years, which was highlighted during the presentation of the strategy "Healthy Life in Schools."
