Mexico Surpasses United States in Obesity: Approves Junk Food
Tax   Bad news for our friends south of the border. Mexico’s
lower house of Congress is following in the steps of New York
Mayor Bloomberg by recently approving new taxes on junk food in
an effort to reduce their consumption. The increased costs on
higher calorie and sugary snacks were part of a larger bill that
included additional fiscal changes and are likely to get passed
into law.  With one of the world’s highest obesity rates, Mexico
is being met with support from health experts and opposition
from small business owners. Mom and Pop shops rely on soft drink
sales to stay open and will likely have to close their doors if
their customers are deterred from indulging in their favorite
treats.  According to the legislation high-calorie foods defined
as “those providing 275 calories or more per 100 grams, at 5% of
the ticketed price and chewing gum at 16%. Soft drinks would go
up in price about 8 cents per liter.” Mexico recently bumped the
United S