Mexico Pushes Nutrition Policies at N4G Summit

Mexico underscored its commitment to nutrition-centered policies at the Nutrition for Growth Summit (N4G) held in Paris on March 27-28, 2025. Ramiro López, Mexico’s Deputy Minister of Health Policy and Population Well-Being, emphasized the need to integrate healthy food policies into national strategies to address malnutrition and improve public health.

Ensuring access to nutritious food is essential for population well-being, says López. He stresses that public policies should prioritize healthy diets as a means to combat malnutrition in all its forms and promote health equity.

Mexico has introduced several measures aimed at improving nutrition, including front-of-package warning labels on ultra-processed foods, regulations on advertising targeted at children, and taxes on sugary beverages. 

In 2022, one year after the implementation of nutritional warning labels on food products, 80% of Mexico’s population reported recognizing the octagon-shaped labels, reports MBN.  It was also found that some consumers were effectively dissuaded from purchasing products marked with high amounts of fat, sugar, or calories, as reflected in their purchasing behavior, according to a study by the National Public Health Institute (INSP). As a result, some companies have been incentivized to reduce the high sugar levels in their products, leading to a one-third reduction of sugar-heavy cereals available in the average supermarket, as reported by MBN.

These initiatives, says López, are designed to protect public health by reducing the prevalence of chronic diseases linked to poor nutrition. He explained that beyond fiscal measures, these policies form part of a broader strategy to promote social justice, reinforce food sovereignty, and uphold public health as a fundamental right.

The undersecretary also highlighted the need for effective regulatory mechanisms to oversee commercial practices that impact public health, particularly those affecting vulnerable populations. He urges the global community to commit to policies that prioritize health and dignity over commercial interests.

The N4G Summit brought together heads of state, government officials, donors, civil society organizations, and private sector representatives to discuss policies and financing strategies that support sustainable and equitable food systems. Tedros Adhanom, Director General, WHO, and López met and agreed on several key priorities to improve global health with policies that reflect a comprehensive approach and joint efforts.

“@WHO looks forward to continuing our close partnership with #Mexico towards #HealthForAll,” writes Adhanom on X.