The Government of Coahuila, in collaboration with the Federal Government, will work in coordination with firm measures to eradicate junk food from educational institutions; this was announced by Emanuel Garza Fishburn, Secretary of Education of the State.
The official confirmed the alignment of this effort with the healthy living program promoted by President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, and stressed the urgency of combating the high rates of childhood obesity.
Garza Fishburn highlighted that Mexico faces a crisis in this issue, with 5.7 million children between five and eleven years old suffering from overweight or obesity; however, Coahuila is among the most affected states, which has raised alarms in the state administration.
“The situation is critical, and it is not enough to address the problem in schools; we need the support of parents to create a real change in the lives of our children,” said the Secretary of Education.
Likewise, he clarified that the problem does not discriminate between urban and rural areas, affecting students from all over the state. Given this reality, changes are being made to the regulatory framework to ensure that the new provisions are not just recommendations, but laws that must be complied with.
One of the most relevant measures will be the prohibition of the sale of bulk foods in educational centers, because although these products do not have labels, they represent risks similar to those of processed foods, warned Garza Fishburn.
In addition, he mentioned that the financing that some schools receive from large companies, such as soft drink companies, will also be regulated, ensuring that from now on only healthy products are sold, without excess sugar.
Another area of attention will be street vending in the vicinity of schools. Garza Fishburn assured that the authorities are monitoring this trade to prevent students from having access to products that harm their health.
The Secretary of Education concluded with a call to parents, urging them to work together with the authorities to prevent children from developing bad eating habits.
Source: elsiglodetorreon
