Speakers call for 'front-of-package labelling' to curb diet-related NCDs
They say clear warning labels on packaged foods can help consumers identify health risks and make informed choices as diet-related diseases rise in Bangladesh.
Speakers at a journalists' workshop have called for the swift introduction of Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) on packaged foods to help curb diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh.
They said the consumption of ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats is rising among people of all ages, including children, adolescents and young adults, while diet-related NCDs are also increasing.
The observations came at a two-day journalists' workshop titled "Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh: Importance, Progress and Way Forward", held on 24-25 August at the BIP Conference Room in Dhaka.
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Progga (Knowledge for Progress), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (Ghai), organised the workshop, which was attended by 26 journalists from print, television and online media.
Speakers said NCDs, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and hypertension, account for around 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh, with unhealthy diets being a major contributing factor.
They said consumers often find it difficult to understand complex nutritional information printed in small fonts on the back of food packages, making it harder to assess the nutritional quality and health risks of products.
Clear and easy-to-understand warning labels on ultra-processed food packages can help consumers make informed choices and reduce the risk of diet-related NCDs, they said.
Professor Mohammad Shoeb, a member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the draft Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026, has been sent to the Ministry of Food.
"The draft regulation is currently with the Ministry of Food. We are hopeful that it will be finalised soon upon completion of the necessary procedures," he said.
He said the initial work on the regulation had been completed, adding that packaged food manufacturers were seeking some time to consider the matter.
Abu Ahmed Shamim, associate scientist at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), said FOPL is a scientific approach to preventing NCDs.
"It will help consumers easily understand the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods," he said.
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead of Ghai, said the swift finalisation and effective implementation of the FOPL regulation was essential to achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third.
Zahirul Alam, executive director of Channel 24, said regular media discussions and analysis on the effectiveness of FOPL in addressing NCDs could help facilitate the finalisation of the draft regulation.
Other speakers included Mizan Chowdhury, co-convener of the Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), and ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA.
PROGGA Head of Programmes Md Hasan Shahriar and Programme Officer Shabnam Mostofa delivered presentations at the workshop.
