Warning labels on the front of packaged foods: An effective measure to curb non-communicable diseases 

A wide variety of packaged ultra-processed foods, neatly stacked on shop shelves and marketed as quick solutions for busy lives, and have become integral to our daily routines. They appear everywhere: in children's tiffin boxes, during hurried office breaks, as roadside snacks, and even at casual gatherings at home. 

Their omnipresence is no accident; relentless advertising campaigns and the convenience they promise have fueled their rapid expansion. Yet beneath this glossy surface lies a troubling reality; these products are often loaded with excessive sugar, salt (sodium) and saturated fats, ingredients that  silently contributing to a growing public health crisis. 

Over time, their habitual consumption increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases such as obesity, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and certain forms of cancer. What makes this issue particularly alarming is how normalised these foods have become in daily routines, subtly reshaping dietary habits and pushing societies toward a silent epidemic. 

In Bangladesh, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for approximately 71% of all deaths, while around 19% of these deaths are premature. Around 13.9 million people are living with diabetes, while one in every four adults suffers from hypertension. 

These figures are not merely statistics from the health sector; they reflect real stories of families losing family members, declining household incomes, financial hardship due to medical expenses, and premature deaths.  

However, much of this crisis can, in fact, be prevented with timely interventions and conscious choices. Dietary changes, especially introduction of clear and visible warnings about the dangers of unhealthy packaged foods, can play an important role in reducing consumption of unhealthy foods. 

By empowering individuals with knowledge and encouraging healthier alternatives, society can begin to reverse the tide of non-communicable diseases and protect future generations from avoidable suffering.

When a consumer goes to the market to buy a packaged food item, do they truly know how harmful it might be, or how much sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats it contains? 

In most cases, the answer is no. 

Mandatory FOPL offers a realistic solution. Clear, visible warning labels on excessive sugar, salt, and saturated fats can guide consumers toward healthier choices, reduce consumption of high-risk products, and lower long-term burdens of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other Non communicable diseases. 

This is because the nutritional information provided on the back of packages is often written in small fonts, complex language, and numerical tables, making it difficult for the average person to quickly understand and take informed decisions.

In the rush of everyday life, no one stands in a shop calculating the levels of sugar, saturated fat, or salt. As a result, consumers continue to buy these products while critical information about health risks remains largely out of sight. 

In this context, a timely and effective measure would be the adoption of Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL), guided by a robust nutrient profiling model. 

In simple terms, FOPL is a food labelling system where products containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt, or unhealthy fats must display clear, simple, and easy-to-understand warning labels on the front of the product packages. 

In other words, essential nutritional information would no longer remain hidden on the back of the package; instead, consumers would be able to assess at a glance how suitable or potentially harmful a product may be for themselves and their families. 

According to the World Health Organisation's recommendations, warning-based FOPL is an public heaeffective and best-buy lth intervention. 

At present, 44 countries worldwide have introduced FOPL, either on a voluntary or mandatory basis. Warning-based FOPL is mandatory in 10 countries. Experiences from countries that introduced warning labels, such as Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay showed clear results. 

After implementation, consumers reduced their intake of unhealthy foods, while manufacturers were compelled to reformulate their products by lowering the levels of sugar, salt, and harmful fats. These measures demonstrate how simple, visible warnings can shift both consumer behavior and industry practices, offering a powerful tool to curb diet-related health risks.

The need for such a policy is now evident in Bangladesh. 

Research shows that 97% of the population consumes packaged foods at least once a week, with ultra-processed items rapidly becoming dietary staples. 

Many of these products contain excessive salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while packaging often lacks clear or complete nutritional information. 

This means that consumers are not only purchasing potentially harmful products, but are also being deprived of the accurate information necessary to make informed choices. 

To address these issues, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has already drafted the 'Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026,' which marks a positive step forward. 

The draft proposes the introduction of mandatory warning-based FOPL for processed foods and beverages. According to the proposal, products exceeding specified limits of sugar, salt, or saturated fat would be required to display black octagonal warning labels on the front of the package, indicating terms such as "excess in sugar," "excess in sodium," or "excess in saturated fat." 

This approach is simple, highly visible, and widely recognised internationally as one of the most effective best-practice models for informing consumers and promoting healthier choices.

We appreciate this initiative of the government. 

However, the preparation of a draft alone is not the final step. Its timely finalisation and implementation require a clear timeframe and strong monitoring mechanisms. Any delay in the process would mean increased health risks and a further rise in preventable illnesses.

Therefore, in matters of public health, policymakers must maintain a clear and firm stance. 

Protecting human life and health must remain the highest priority. The state has a duty to safeguard citizens by ensuring access to accurate, transparent information. 

FOPL should therefore be mandatory, based on scientific knowledge, and shielded from industry influence. At the same time, awareness of warning-based front-of-package labelling should be strengthened through the media, educational institutions, healthcare professionals, nutritionists, and civil society. Such an approach will support consumer rights, protect public health, and enable more informed decision-making.

Bangladesh is now facing a reality where preventive measures against diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are unavoidable. 

Under the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3.4, the target of reducing premature mortality from NCDs by one-third by 2030 demands practical and preventive interventions. 

Mandatory FOPL offers a realistic solution. Clear, visible warning labels on excessive sugar, salt, and saturated fats can guide consumers toward healthier choices, reduce consumption of high-risk products, and lower long-term burdens of diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and other NCDs.  

Hence, FOPL is not merely a food labelling policy; it is a crucial instrument for advancing Bangladesh's public health commitment to achieving SDG 3 and 4.

The expansion of Bangladesh's road and rural electrification networks in recent years has enabled packaged and ultra-processed foods to penetrate even the most remote areas, reshaping rural diets and exposing communities to unhealthy levels of sugar, salt, and fats.

This growing accessibility highlights the urgent need for stronger food labelling policies and public health interventions to safeguard communities from the rising burden of diet-related diseases.

Therefore, the "Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026" must be finalised and implemented without delay, as it is a pressing need of the time. The era of hidden health risks behind colorful packaging must come to an end. 

Abu Ahmed Shamim is an associate scientist at the Center for Non-communicable Disease and Nutrition, BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), BRAC University.

Shabnam Mostofa is a Programme Officer at PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress). 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.