Lawmakers in Mexico have voted to stop the sales of sugar-filled drinks and highlyv processed foods to anyone younger than 18 years old to help stop the spread of the novel coronavirus.
What’s happening?
- Multiple Mexican states have moved to ban junk food to children.
- Health officials have used the coronavirus pandemic as a chance to change public health policies.
- Being overweight can increase the risk of serious illness with the coronavirus.
What’s being banned:
States have limited sales for:
- Chips
- Candy
- Soda
- Sugary beverages
What happens:
Some laws in these states — like the anti-junk food law in Oaxaca — has punishments such as fines, store closures and jail for any offenders, according to The Washington Post.
“These laws are a huge win for public health because of the level of media attention they are getting globally. The pandemic is underlining the need to put public health front and center.” — Rafael Pérez-Escamilla, a professor at Yale School of Public Health, to The Washington Post
The bigger picture:
- According to Slate, Mexicans drink more sugary drinks per capita than any other country in the world.
- 73% of Mexicans are overweight, according to a new study from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.