Quintana Roo Schools Still Sell Junk Food Despite Ban

Quintana Roo, Mexico — Schools in Quintana Roo are making slow progress in eliminating junk food from campuses, despite a nationwide ban implemented in March 2025 as part of efforts to combat childhood obesity. Education authorities are calling for stronger collaboration between sectors to promote healthier habits among students.

Widespread Noncompliance with Health Regulations

During the 2024-2025 school year, 1,038 reports were filed regarding food and beverage sales conditions across 337 schools in Quintana Roo. The findings reveal a troubling reality: many institutions continue to offer unhealthy products while lacking basic infrastructure for safe water consumption.

Key statistics highlight the ongoing challenges:

• 65% of reported schools still sell soda.
• 82.7% offer junk food.
• 56.5% do not provide fruits or vegetables, limiting students' access to fresh, nutritious options.

These figures contradict guidelines from the National Education System (SEN), which prohibit junk food sales in all public and private schools to address rising childhood obesity and related health issues.

Weak Oversight and Infrastructure Deficiencies

Internal monitoring remains inadequate, with 78.2% of schools lacking a committee to enforce the junk food ban. Access to clean drinking water is another critical concern:

• 75.3% of schools do not have water fountains.
• Only 20.7% provide this essential service.
• 3.9% are unaware of whether their school has functioning water dispensers.

Without reliable access to safe water, students are more likely to turn to sugary drinks, perpetuating unhealthy consumption patterns.

Authorities Urge Gradual Improvements

Rafael Pantoja Sánchez, head of the Educational Liaison Office in Quintana Roo, acknowledged the slow progress but emphasized the need for sustained collaboration.

“This is an ongoing process involving the Secretary of Education, the State Government, school vendors, and parents,” he said.

Pantoja encouraged visits to school vendors to observe incremental changes and referenced the 2013 National Agreement for Food Health, which yielded positive results. He noted that regulating off-campus junk food sales falls under municipal jurisdiction and announced upcoming vendor training sessions in Othón P. Blanco.

He also highlighted the challenges of post-pandemic adaptation and the potential impact of the New Mexican School initiative on student dietary habits.

Efforts to promote healthier eating in schools remain a priority, but the data underscores the need for stricter enforcement and infrastructure upgrades to achieve meaningful change.