Health experts urge food warning labels to curb NCDs
Health experts and food safety advocates have called for the introduction of mandatory warning-based front-of-package labelling (FOPL) on packaged foods in Bangladesh, arguing that the measure could help consumers make healthier choices and reduce the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
The call came during a webinar titled “Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods and the Way Forward: Bangladesh Perspective”, organised by the research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from Global Health Advocacy Incubator to mark World Food Safety Day 2026.
The webinar, held under the theme “From Burden to Solution: Safe Food Everywhere”, highlighted the health risks posed by ultra-processed foods containing high levels of sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans-fat.
Speakers noted that, according to the World Health Organization, non-communicable diseases account for around 570,263 deaths annually in Bangladesh, representing nearly 71 per cent of all deaths in the country. They warned that increasing consumption of ultra-processed foods is further contributing to cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and other health conditions.
Participants said consumers often struggle to interpret the detailed nutritional information printed on the back of food packages, leading them to purchase products without fully understanding their nutritional content or potential health risks.
They argued that mandatory front-of-package warning labels would enable consumers to quickly identify foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat through clear warnings displayed on the front of packaging, helping them make more informed and healthier food choices. The WHO has identified FOPL as a cost-effective public health intervention.
Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, a member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, said 44 countries had already introduced front-of-package labelling and reported positive changes in consumer behaviour.
“Bangladesh is also working on this issue, and we hope to introduce it soon,” he said.
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said implementing FOPL could support the country’s progress towards achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.
Shamsun Naher Nahid, Chief Nutritionist of the Food and Nutrition Department at BIRDEM General Hospital, stressed the importance of raising public awareness about harmful ingredients in packaged foods through front-of-package labelling.
Mustak Hassan Md Iftekhar, founding chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Aminul Islam Sujon, consultant at Vital Strategies, also addressed the event.
The webinar was chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair, moderated by Coordinator Mashiat Abedin, and featured a keynote presentation by Programme Officer Shabnam Mostofa. Representatives from civil society organisations, NGOs, youth groups, media outlets and various professional sectors participated in the discussion.
