Latin America Moves Forward With Stiffer Regulation Of Junk Foods

Though initiatives to curb consumption of junk foods and to encourage healthful eating have often failed in developed countries – including the U.S. – similar legislation by left-leaning governments in Central and South America has passed relatively easily and “just might stick”. In the last year, Peru, Uruguay and Costa Rica have made it illegal to serve junk food in public schools. Ecuador now requires a “traffic light” nutritional labeling system that warns about high levels of salt, sugar and fat in foods. The food industry in that country will soon be barred from using pictures of animal characters, cartoon personalities and celebrities to promote unhealthy food to kids. And Mexican legislators passed taxes on snacks like potato chips and on sugary beverages.