Mario Delgado Carrillo: No Retreat in Eradicating Junk Food from Schools

Web Editor

April 21, 2025

a group of children standing around a table with a basket of food in front of them and a man holding

Introduction to Mario Delgado Carrillo and His Role

Mario Delgado Carrillo serves as the Secretary of Public Education (SEP) in Mexico. His recent statements highlight a firm commitment to eliminating junk food from schools, ensuring that this initiative will be definitive and not subject to reversal.

Previous Attempts to Remove Junk Food from Schools

Historically, there have been numerous attempts to remove junk food from schools in Mexico. However, Delgado Carrillo emphasizes that this current effort will be the decisive one, citing legal and educational frameworks established by the SEP and the Secretary of Health.

Legal Framework and Enforcement

According to Delgado Carrillo, there has been progress in monitoring school compliance with guidelines aimed at eliminating junk food. He asserts that, based on the General Law of Education and joint lineaments from the SEP and Secretary of Health, selling junk food, sodas, or sugary drinks within schools is no longer permissible.

Focus on Healthy Eating Culture

The secretary explains that the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) initiative prioritizes forming a new, healthy eating culture among students. This focus on education aims to cultivate the strongest, healthiest, and happiest generation of Mexicans in history.

Teacher and Parental Involvement

Delgado Carrillo acknowledges the crucial role teachers, school directors, and parents play in upholding these guidelines. Their collaboration ensures that junk food remains absent from school grounds.

Capacity Building and Training

In April, nearly a million individuals participated in workshops—both in-person and online through the SEP’s @prende.mx platform—to learn about acceptable and unacceptable food offerings in schools.

Key Questions and Answers

  • What is Mario Delgado Carrillo’s role? He serves as the Secretary of Public Education in Mexico, responsible for overseeing educational policies and initiatives.
  • Why is this junk food removal effort considered definitive? It is backed by legal frameworks established by the SEP and Secretary of Health, ensuring that junk food cannot be sold in schools.
  • What is the Nueva Escuela Mexicana (NEM) initiative? It is a comprehensive educational reform program focusing on promoting healthy lifestyles, including proper nutrition, among Mexican students.
  • Who is involved in upholding junk food removal guidelines? Teachers, school directors, and parents play essential roles in ensuring compliance with these guidelines.
  • How many people have been trained in this initiative? Nearly a million individuals participated in workshops to learn about acceptable food offerings in schools.