Colima has become the first state in Mexico to enact an Adequate and Sustainable Food Law, which prioritizes the consumption of legumes and vegetables.
The State Congress unanimously approved the legislation, which aims to guarantee the population access to nutritious, sufficient, high-quality food with a lower environmental impact, supporting overall well-being, optimal nutrition, and a dignified quality of life.
What Does Colima’s New Adequate and Sustainable Food Law Establish?
The law creates planning, coordination, and governance mechanisms between state and municipal authorities to guarantee the right to adequate and sustainable food. Key measures include:
- Promoting foods with a lower environmental impact.
- Prioritizing legumes as the primary source of protein in food assistance programs and in food baskets defined by the Ministry of Health.
- Strengthening local food production to support more sustainable food supply chains.
- Including plant-based food options in public institutions, schools, and workplaces.
- Recognizing the diversity of people’s dietary needs and preferences under the principle of dietary inclusion.
The initiative was promoted by the Food Alliance and Climate Action, in collaboration with Animal Equality, and introduced by local Morena lawmaker Alfredo Álvarez Ramírez.
According to the Animal Equality foundation, the law’s approach is aligned with the Healthy and Sustainable Dietary Guidelines issued by Mexico’s Federal Ministry of Health, as well as the One Health framework promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), which recognizes the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health.
Source: grupoanimal
