Warning labels on food package front urged to curb rising health risks

The consumption of ultra-processed foods and the associated risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing at an alarming rate in Bangladesh, speakers at a workshop warned.

They urged the government to finalise and implement the draft Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) regulation without delay to protect public health and support informed dietary choices, according to a press release.

Simple warning labels on the front of food packages can significantly curb the rise of NCDs by improving consumer awareness.

FOPL would enable consumers to identify at a glance whether a packaged food contains excessive amounts of salt, sugar, or saturated fat, allowing them to choose healthier alternatives.

Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, a member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), assured the workshop that the draft regulation on mandatory FOPL will be finalised soon, and necessary steps for its swift implementation will be taken.

The observations were made at a two-day journalists' workshop titled "Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh: Importance, Progress, and the Way Forward."

The event, which concluded yesterday (15 July) at the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bhaban in the capital, was organised by Progga (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).

A total of 25 journalists from print, television, and online media participated.

Speakers at the workshop highlighted that NCDs -- including hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases -- account for approximately 71% of all deaths in Bangladesh, with 19% of these occurring prematurely.

They noted that the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat is fuelling this burden.

Currently, consumers struggle to understand complex nutritional information on the back of food packages.

FOPL would remove this barrier, enabling quick identification of unhealthy products.

Stressing the global success of the system, Abu Ahmed Shamim, associate scientist at the Brac James P Grant School of Public Health, said that the implementation of warning-based FOPL has reduced the consumption of unhealthy foods in many countries, making it imperative to introduce this system in Bangladesh.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead of GHAI, emphasised that clear warning labels displayed on the front of ultra-processed food packages will help consumers make healthier food choices and play an effective role in reducing long-term health risks.

Sajjadur Rahman, deputy editor of The Business Standard, highlighted the role of the press, stating that regular media coverage on the importance of FOPL in preventing NCDs can create positive pressure on policymakers to take timely action.

The workshop was also addressed by Mortuza Haider Liton, convener of Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA); Nadira Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, co-conveners of ATMA; and ABM Zubair, executive director of Progga.

Presentations during the sessions were delivered by Progga's Head of Programs Md Hasan Shahriar and Program Officer Shabnam Mostofa.