A government-sponsored junk food ban in schools across Mexico took effect on Saturday, officials said, as the country tries to tackle one of the world’s worst obesity¹ and diabetes² epidemics³.

The health guidelines, first published last fall, take a direct shot at salty and sweet processed products that have become a staple⁴ for generations of Mexican schoolchildren, such as sugary fruit drinks, packaged chips, artificial pork rinds and soy-encased, chili-flavored peanuts.

Announcing that the ban had become law, Mexico’s Education Ministry⁵ said: “Farewell, junk food!” It encouraged parents to support the government’s crusade by cooking healthy meals for their kids.