June 27, 2016.
Obesity and diabetes are central concerns of the Chilean government, which has decided to ban Kinder Surprise and Happy Meal for children.
Far too many overweight children in Chile
From Monday June 27, Chile will put in place very strict food legislation to effectively fight obesity and diabetes, especially in children. Childhood obesity is a real topic there, as more than 40% of middle school students and a third of children under six are overweight. On the parents’ side, 60% of the adult population is also affected. Furthermore, in 10 years, diabetes has exploded, with 80% more cases.
” We have a really sick society, it was necessary to have very strong public policies », Explains the president of the College of nutritionists of Chile. This is the reason that prompted the government to ban the Kinder Surprise but also the Happy Meal from McDonald’s, throughout the country.
Legislation that harms Ferrero’s reputation?
With this new legislation, Chile hopes to quickly obtain results, because these health concerns related to junk food also have a social cost. From now on, food sold in supermarkets will have to display their levels of saturated fat, sugars, sodium and calories, in order to guide consumers towards healthier food.
The Italian Ferrero has said, for his part, that he reserves the right to take legal action. national and international, on the grounds that this law ” affects the reputation of one of its most popular products “.
Many don’t know it, but Kinder Surprise is already illegal in the United States, but not for the same reasons. A regulation dating from 1938 prohibits the association of a foodstuff with any other substance, as this could cause children to suffocate.
Read also: Obesity, more than a food problem
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