Mexico, 5 sep (EFE).-Mexico is the largest consumer of soft drink in the world, with an intake by 40 per cent higher person to which is registered in United States, civil society organizations non-profit in the capital today alerted Mexican.
The average consumption per capita amounted to 163 litres per year, while its northern neighbour he barely surpasses 118, according to the results of investigations of the director of the Rudd Center for food policy and obesity of Yale University, Kelly Brownell, revealed in a press conference.
For this reason, these defenders of consumer associations demanded the Government imposition of a tax of 20 percent for soft, sugary juices and related high calorie drinks.
This tax proposal responds, according to Alejandro Calvillo, director of the power of the consumer BC, to the recommendations of international bodies on comprehensive policies to fight obesity, “these drinks are the main source of calories” in the country American.
Recalled that both the World Health Organization (who), the Organization for cooperation and economic development (OECD) and United Nations (UN) called on the Government to take action against this epidemic, but “have been ignored”.
Çalvillo also cited statements by Ãngel Córdova, Secretary of health, who assured that the problem of obesity overwhelmed the response capacity of the public health system and is expected in six years will require $ 14 billion, the budget of this portfolio to cope.
A tax of this kind at the drinks “would cause a reduction in their consumption of 16 to 24 %”, it would be in a low calorie intake and improvement in the economy of the families, to “spend, mostly in soda in eggs, beans or omelette”, he said.
In addition, he raised that these resources could improve the health conditions of the population and have more State resources to address the consequences of health of the high intake of these products.
And as an example he cited the introduction of drinking troughs for drinking water free in schools and public spaces that would further reduce consumption indiscriminate of sodas, both in urban as rural.
“Our country has become a factory anemic and obese, because people with these habits passed from malnutrition to obesity to replace nutritional by soda drinks,” said Dolores Rojas, Coordinator of Oxfam Mexico.
Rojas added that its proposal is timely and concrete”, in order to bring drinking water to those who do not, on the eve of the definition in the Mexican Congress in next year’s budget.
According to the special United Nations Rapporteur on the right to food, Olivier De Schutter, who last June made an official visit to Mexico, seven of every 10 Mexicans suffering from obesity. EFE
