Overview

• A reform to the General Education Law, in force since March 2025, prohibits the sale of ultraprocessed foods and sugary drinks on school grounds and ties to front-of-package warning labels.
• The Education Ministry is promoting Vida Saludable and Mi Escuela Saludable and has enabled complaints through miescuelasaludable.org to report noncompliance.
• National data show urgency: ENSANUT 2020 found over 70% of children 5–11 with calcium deficiency and 37% with overweight or obesity, while Health Ministry studies say more than 35% regularly consume high-sugar, high-salt, high-fat products.
• Late-August guidance highlights practical lunch-building, with nutritionist Mónica Torres recommending a cereal, a fruit or vegetable, and a protein with healthy fats for an approximately 300-calorie snack.
• Experts also advise including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes or seeds, and plain water, as families navigate time, cost and taste hurdles that are spurring demand for compliant school-food options.