Mexico Enacts Landmark Law Guaranteeing Right to Nutritious Food

By Goodrich, Riquelme y Asociados

After more than two decades of work, Mexico approved a landmark legislation, consisting of 111 articles, that regulates the human right to nutritious, sufficient, and quality food, as recognized in Article 4 of the Mexican Constitution.

The legislation prioritizes the right to health, environment, water, and the best interests of children in all policies related to adequate food by the Mexican State. It establishes planning, coordination, implementation and monitoring mechanisms among federal, state, municipal, and territorial authorities to guarantee the full exercise of this right.

Furthermore, the law aims to promote the production, fair and equitable distribution, and consumption of nutritious, sufficient, quality, safe, and culturally appropriate foods. The primary objective is to protect and realize the right to adequate food, avoid food waste, and strengthen the country's self-sufficiency, sovereignty, and food security.

It also encompasses the right to all necessary nutritional elements for a healthy and active life, as well as access to them. 

The legislation on the right to adequate and sustainable food in Mexico does not directly target labeling and trademarks. Its focus is on broader issues of ensuring access to nutritious food and promoting sustainable food production practices.