The southern Mexican state of Oaxaca has banned the sale of sugary drinks and high-calorie snack foods to children – a measure aimed at curbing obesity. The bill to reform the state’s children and adolescents’ rights law proposed fines and the possible closure of stores for selling soft drinks and sweets to children. It said in a statement that government statistics showed Mexicans consumed only 5.8% of their daily calories from soft drinks. No one denies the grip Mexico’s drinks industry has on the country. A survey by El Poder del Consumidor – a consumer advocacy group and drinks industry critic – found 70% of schoolchildren in a poor region of Guerrero state reported having soda for breakfast.

Source: The Guardian August 06, 2020 04:52 UTC