Background on Mario Delgado Carrillo
Mario Delgado Carrillo is a prominent Mexican politician who has been actively involved in shaping public health policies. He currently serves as the Secretary of Public Education in Mexico, but his contributions to promoting healthier food choices span across various roles he has held in the past.
Legislative Efforts Against Unhealthy Food
Front-of-Package Labeling:
When Delgado Carrillo was the President of the Junta de Coordinación Política and coordinator of Morena’s Parliamentary Group in the Chamber of Deputies, he championed legislation that established front-of-package warning labels. These labels help the public identify the nutritional content of products and recognize what is often referred to as “junk food.”
- Purpose: The front-of-package warning labels aim to inform consumers about the high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats in certain products.
- Impact: By making this information easily accessible, consumers can make more informed decisions about the food they purchase and consume.
Tax on Sugary Drinks:
As a senator, Delgado Carrillo advocated for an imposition on sugary beverages to curb their excessive consumption. This tax aims to discourage the purchase of these beverages, promoting healthier alternatives.
Early Initiatives for Healthier School Meals
Approximately 15 years ago, when Delgado Carrillo served as the Secretary of Education in Mexico City, he initiated measures to ban the sale of unhealthy foods in schools. This proactive step aimed to establish healthier eating habits among students from an early age.
Current Support for Healthier School Environments
Delgado Carrillo expressed his satisfaction with the ongoing efforts by parents, teachers, and school administrators to adhere to guidelines that prohibit the sale of unhealthy products within educational institutions.
- Prohibition Continuation: Delgado Carrillo emphasized that the ban on unhealthy school meals will continue, stating there is “no turning back” from this important initiative.
- Guidance for School Cooperatives: He also mentioned that guidance will be maintained for those responsible for school cooperatives regarding permissible and non-permissible products. This includes reinforcing that products with warning labels and sugary drinks cannot be sold within schools.
Support for Migrant Education
Delgado Carrillo highlighted his participation in a forum focused on migration challenges organized by the House of Representatives’ Migration Commission. He acknowledged the support from Mexico City’s Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo for the “México te abraza” (Mexico embraces you) strategy, which has established educational shelters along the border to accommodate migrant children.
- Educational Support: These shelters are staffed with trained teachers who can quickly integrate migrant children, girls, boys, and adolescents into the educational system.
- Importance: This initiative ensures that migrant children have access to education without interruption, promoting their well-being and future opportunities.
