Mexico City, April 3, 2026 – The Mexico City Congress is currently reviewing proposed reforms to the Law for Altruistic Food Donation. The initiative aims to reduce food waste and foster a culture of solidarity to ensure effective access to adequate food for all residents. This effort involves the joint participation of the public, private, and social sectors.
Addressing Food Waste and Insecurity in Urban Centers
Given the significant challenges of food waste and insecurity in large urban centers, such as Mexico City, there is a recognized need for a legal framework that promotes and integrates social responsibility. This framework would encourage the creation and promotion of a culture of food utilization and altruistic donation, focusing on making use of food that might otherwise be considered surplus or waste.
Key Aspects of the Proposed Reforms
The initiative, presented by Congresswoman Leticia Haro Jiménez of Morena, focuses on amending Article 5 of the Law for Altruistic Food Donation of Mexico City. The proposed changes aim to strengthen existing public policy by incorporating concepts of ‘solidarity’ and ‘community participation.’ This is intended to ensure that consumers and various sectors adopt this approach.
Congresswoman Haro Jiménez, a member of the parliamentary association “Women for Feminist and Inclusive Trade,” highlighted data from the United Nations (UN). Despite sufficient global food production, up to 828 million people suffer from hunger, and nearly three billion lack the conditions for access to healthy diets.
International Precedent and Social Responsibility
Haro Jiménez emphasized that altruistic food donation has proven to be an effective measure in various international contexts to combat issues such as food waste and food vulnerability. Sharing food resources is also seen as a social practice that promotes values like collective responsibility and awareness regarding the proper use of resources.
The right to food has been recognized since 1948 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and was incorporated in 1966 into the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. These international precedents underscore the importance of such legislative efforts.
Next Steps in the Legislative Process
The initiative has been forwarded by the Congress’s Board of Directors to the Commission for Rural Development, Supply, and Food Distribution for further review and dictation. This process will involve detailed analysis and discussion before it can proceed to a vote.
This legislative push reflects a growing commitment within Mexico City to address food-related challenges through comprehensive and collaborative approaches, aiming to build a more sustainable and equitable food system for its residents.
