Characterization of the Mexican food environment. Report for the analysis of the draft initiative of the General Law on the Right to Adequate Food in Mexico.

The report defines the food system and the concepts that revolve around this term, displaying an overview of the Mexican case in order to show the need to approve the General Law on the Right to Food. Based on the main agricultural products that make up the Mexican diet, it becomes evident the need to reduce dependence on imports of some foods by increasing production. The foods of importance to the Mexican food system mentioned in the document are corn, beans, wheat, rice, tomato, onion, potato, chili, avocado, orange, lemon and banana. Foodstuffs of livestock origin are beef, pork and poultry, as well as eggs and milk. With respect to spaces for physical access to food, there is a deficit in food processing establishments and also those that sell fresh products such as fruits, vegetables and meats. Schools are also part of the agro-food network and urgently require policies and actions to regulate the sale of unhealthy food. The prevalence of food deserts and swamps in Mexico, as well as the high rates of obesity among the population, makes it essential to have a law that guarantees access to adequate food for the population.