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These foods and drinks would be prohibited in Mexico next September

- June 1, 2023

After a decree was approved in the General Health Law, these foods would be prohibited in Mexico as of September; meet them.

When you hear the word Mexico you always think of culture, diverse ecosystems, tradition and gastronomy, not for nothing is it one of the favorite tourist places in the world. But, there are factors that also stand out and one of them is overweight and that is why actions are being taken.

According to an article published in UNAM, 75% of adults in Mexico are overweight and 35% of children and 38% of adolescents have this chronic disease.

In addition, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) each year claim the lives of 41 million people in the world, representing 74% of total deaths.

These foods and drinks would be prohibited in Mexico

Given the critical situation of overweight and chronic-degenerative diseases in Mexicans, the Government of Mexico has implemented measures to improve the physical health of Mexicans, including their diet. For this reason, the Chamber of Deputies has unanimously approved (472 votes in favor, 0 against and 0 abstentions), the regulation of trans fats, to the point of almost banning them. It should be noted that the consumption of trans fats takes the lives of 500,000 people each year, of which 13,153 are Mexicans, so regulating the sale and consumption of these products was imperative for the Government of Mexico.

“Today the decree of addition to the General Health Law that prohibits trans fats in food and beverages was published in @DOF_SEGOB. This historic measure, with Frontal Labeling, will significantly contribute to preventing deaths from the consumption of ultra-processed products.”, published the Ministry of Health.

Foods and drinks with hydrogenated oils and fats would be prohibited if they do not comply with the new regulations, among them the following products can be found.

Cakes

Cookies

Sweets

Tarts

Microwave popcorn

Frozen pizza

Frozen fries

Donuts

Frozen fried chicken

Processed sauces

Ice creams

Margarine

Milk cream for coffee

Sodas

Tea and coffee with added cream

High fat dairy milk

Artificial juices

What are trans fats and what are they needed for?

Trans fatty acids or also known as trans fats, are a type of unsaturated fatty acid found mainly in food, their excessive intake can be harmful to the body. These substances are used to manufacture fried foods, such as potatoes or packaged batters such as margarines and butter, as well as processed foods such as cookies, rolls, and sweets.

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO):

“Trans fats clog arteries and increase the risk of CHD, and increased consumption of trans fats (>1% of total energy intake) is associated with an increased risk of CHD and death from CHD” .

The General Health Law now has article 216 Bis, which establishes that edible oils and fats, as well as foods and alcoholic beverages, cannot contain partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) added during their industrial manufacturing process.

“Food, non-alcoholic beverages, oils, and fats may not exceed two parts of industrially produced trans fatty acids for every one hundred parts of total fatty acids,” said article emphasizes.

Source: Somos News

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