Schools in Mexico have until March 29, 2025, to chuck the potato chips and toss the soda. The country’s government has banned junk food in schools.

What happens to schools that ignore the order? They could pay thousands of dollars in fines. 

A survey of over 10,000 schools found that junk food was available in 98% of them. Most offered sugary drinks too.

Junk food is a real problem. Mexico’s children have the highest consumption of junk food in Latin America. Unhealthy foods make up about 40 percent of many kids’ diets. Eating too much junk food can lead to poor health. Some people get diseases like diabetes. Not eating enough healthy food can mean that people don’t get important nutrients like vitamin A or iron.

Mexico requires companies to label packages. They carry warnings about high levels of salt, added sugar, high calories, and saturated fats. Some snacks carry all four warning labels.

Under the new rule, schools have to get rid of any product with even a single warning label. 

It’s not just packaged foods. School cafeterias must get creative about what they serve. Cafeterias will need to offer fresh fruits and vegetables. They will also have to prepare foods with less sugar.

Mexico’s president is Claudia Sheinbaum. She says that schools will have to provide water fountains and healthier snacks.

“It is much better to eat a bean taco than a bag of potato chips,” Mrs. Sheinbaum says. “It is much better to drink hibiscus flower water than soda.”

The rule takes effect in March. But following through won’t be a piece of cake. Vendors often sell snacks to kids at recess. It will be hard to stop them. This is the third time that this kind of ban has been announced. The other bans were not very successful.

Many of Mexico’s 255,000 schools do not have free drinking water. Some schools are in very poor or rural areas. They struggle to provide clean bathrooms, internet connection, or electricity.

Pray for children in Mexico. Ask God to provide them with good food.