This UNICEF case study documents Argentina and Mexico’s pioneering efforts in implementing mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPNL) as a public health measure to prevent childhood obesity. Both countries faced high childhood overweight rates and pervasive ultra-processed food consumption. UNICEF supported legislative advocacy, evidence generation, coalition building, and public awareness campaigns to advance policy adoption.
In Argentina, UNICEF’s efforts contributed to the 2021 Healthy Eating Promotion Law, introducing mandatory warning labels, marketing restrictions to children, and prohibitions on sales of labelled products in schools. In Mexico, UNICEF helped strengthen and modify NOM-051 to replace industry-developed Guideline Daily Amount labels with clear, octagonal warning symbols, accompanied by marketing restrictions.
Key enablers included partnerships with research institutions, coordinated advocacy with PAHO, FAO, and civil society, strategic disengagement from industry to avoid conflicts of interest, and UNICEF senior leadership’s commitment. Challenges included industry interference, decentralized policy implementation in Argentina, and the need for harmonization with other food environment laws in Mexico. Recommendations stress continued national dialogue, increased funding for implementation, strengthened subnational engagement, and monitoring of food reformulation trends.