If you've visited Mexico since 2020 you've likely noticed a difference in the packaging of sugary, fatty, and generally unhealthy foods there.
On the front of the packaging of those foods which contain excessive sugars, sodium, saturated fats, trans-fats and/or calories, is a label indicating as much.
The labelling is black, with stop sign-shaped octagons, and is meant to educate (and remind) people of the dangers of eating too much of the product. The aim is to battle childhood obesity as well as keep the adult population healthy,
Following the leads of Peru, Chile, and Uruguay, who put similar practices in place previously, Mexico joins those countries in eating Canada's lunch - they're years ahead of us.
Health Canada announced last year that we'll see a similar junk food labelling program roll out in 2026, with foods that are high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat getting a similar treatment here.
A comparison of some of the proposed Canadian labels versus some of the current Mexican ones are below.
As far as I could tell during my recent visit to Mexico, the labelling of alcoholic beverages hasn't changed.
It simply recommends, in small type, that adults don't abuse it.
Cheers to that, and to Canada in 2026.
