Public health advocates have called for the introduction of effective Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) on packages of ultra-processed foods in Bangladesh, using the experience of providing pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packages. They believe that consumers need to be provided with easy-to-understand information about the presence of excessive sugar, salt, unhealthy fats and other harmful ingredients in ultra-processed foods. Such labelling will help consumers make informed decisions and may play an important role in preventing non-communicable diseases.
The issue was discussed at a meeting titled “Learning from Tobacco Control: Introducing FOPL on Ultra-Processed Food in Bangladesh”, held on Sunday (September 6) at 5:30 pm at the BTCA Secretariat meeting room in Shyamoli, Dhaka. The meeting was organised by the Bangladesh Tobacco Control Advocates (BTCA), with members of the BTCA Committee in attendance.
Speakers at the meeting said that pictorial health warnings on tobacco product packages have been working as an important public health initiative to warn consumers about the harmful effects of tobacco products. By providing health risk information directly and visibly on the packages, it has become possible to easily communicate the harmful effects of these products to consumers. A similar public health-based information system should also be considered for ultra-processed foods.
The speakers said that the use and demand for different types of packaged and ultra-processed foods are increasing day by day. As a result, the risk of various non-communicable diseases may also increase in the future. Many of these foods may contain high levels of sugar, sodium or salt, saturated fat and other ingredients that may pose health risks. However, it is not always easy for ordinary consumers to understand the complex nutrition information provided on the back of the package.
In their view, there is therefore a need for simple, clear, visible and scientifically determined warning labels on the front of food packages.
The possible framework for introducing FOPL was also discussed at the meeting. The speakers believe that FOPL should be designed in such a way that a consumer can easily understand the level of excessive sugar, salt or unhealthy fats in a food product simply by looking at the front of the package after picking up the product in a shop.
They emphasised the need for research and review of easily understandable symbols, warning signs, messages and other effective labelling methods for the general public.
The speakers further said that, by reviewing international experiences, an FOPL model suitable for Bangladesh has already been developed for introducing FOPL in the country. To implement this model, public health experts, nutritionists, physicians, researchers, consumer rights organisations, policymakers and relevant government institutions will need to work together.
The meeting was attended by Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health and Nutrition Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission; Syed Mahbubul Alam Tahim, Founder of the Center for Law and Policy Affairs and Senior Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies; Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies; Syeda Anannya Rahman, Head of Programmes at Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust; Farhana Zaman Liza, Project Coordinator of the Tobacco Control and Research Cell at Dhaka International University; as well as members of BTCA and the Coalition for Healthy Food.
The meeting emphasised several possible actions, including discussions with policymakers, research and collection of evidence-based information, raising public awareness, organising dialogues with relevant stakeholders and developing an effective policy framework for FOPL. At the same time, the need to continue working on how the labelling system for ultra-processed foods can be made more effective in line with existing food and nutrition policies was also highlighted.
The speakers said that Bangladesh’s experience in tobacco control has shown that effective changes in protecting public health can be achieved through laws, policies, public awareness and the combined efforts of stakeholders. Similarly, coordinated action is needed to address the health risks caused by unhealthy dietary habits and ultra-processed foods.
They further said that reducing the burden of non-communicable diseases cannot be achieved by focusing only on treatment after people become ill. Instead, priority must be given to preventive public health activities aimed at reducing disease risks and encouraging people to adopt healthy lifestyles. Introducing easy-to-understand health warning labels on food packages could be an important part of such preventive measures.
Participants at the meeting agreed that protecting public health is not the responsibility of any single institution or organisation. The government, public health experts, researchers, physicians, civil society, the media and all relevant stakeholders need to work together. Along with raising public awareness about the health risks of ultra-processed foods, it is also important to create opportunities for consumers to choose healthier food options.
The meeting also emphasised the need to strengthen future research, policy discussions, public engagement and advocacy activities to introduce Front-of-Pack Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh.