Safe food essential to control hypertension: Speakers at National Food Safety Day webinar

Unsafe food and unhealthy dietary habits are contributing to the increasing prevalence of hypertension and other non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh, speakers said at a webinar today (2 February). 

Hypertension is responsible for more than 10 million deaths globally every year and according to the World Health Organisation (WHO), most of these deaths can be prevented through various policies, particularly those focused on healthy diet, they said. 

The speakers made the remarks at the webinar titled "Safe Food to Combat Hypertension Risk", organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), in observance of National Food Safety Day 2025. 

The speakers also said it is essential to eat plenty of vegetables and other fibre-rich foods to control hypertension in addition to reducing the amount of salt in the diet.

It was informed at the webinar that according to the latest Bangladesh NCD STEPS Survey 2022, 37% of adults add salt while eating meals and 13% consume processed food having high salt. 

Dr Mohammad Mostafa, member (Public Health and Nutrition) of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said, "We are working to ensure safe food through required legislations and their implementation, including the regulations of trans fats and labeling."

Dr Nazma Shaheen, professor at the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science of Dhaka University, said, "In order to control hypertension, a diet rich in vegetables, nuts, and unprocessed foods should be consumed, while limiting intake of salt, sugar, and saturated fat as per the guideline of WHO."

Shamsun Naher Nahid, head of Nutrition at the Department of Diet and Nutrition of BIRDEM General Hospital, said, "Hypertension can be controlled by reducing the consumption of excess salt, saturated fat and red meat along with lifestyle changes."

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh country lead of GHAI, said, "Formulation and implementation of necessary laws and policies is imperative to ensure safe food in addition to promoting public awareness."

The webinar was chaired by PROGGA's Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by PROGGA's Coordinator Sadia Galiba Prova. People of different professions from different regions of the country participated in the webinar.