Delay in FOPL rules raises health concerns
The growing consumption of ultra-processed packaged foods in Bangladesh is raising concerns over the increasing burden of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), as experts call for the swift finalisation of regulations on Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL).
Ultra-processed foods containing high levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats are associated with an increased risk of NCDs, including hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. Around 13.9 million people in Bangladesh are currently living with diabetes, while one in four adults suffers from hypertension. Cardiovascular diseases alone claim nearly 283,000 lives in the country every year.
Against this backdrop, experts have stressed the need to introduce mandatory warning-based FOPL on packaged foods and beverages. They said such labels can provide consumers with clear and easily understandable information about excessive levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat, helping them make more informed food choices.
Research has found that 97 percent of the population consumes ultra-processed packaged food at least once a week. Of the packaged food products studied, 63 percent were found to contain high levels of salt or sodium. Another study found that most ultra-processed packaged foods exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits for sugar, salt and fat.
Despite the potential health risks, nutritional information on packaged products in Bangladesh is often incomplete.
Under an FOPL system, prominent warning labels are placed on the front of food and beverage packages when they contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt or harmful fats. Experts describe the approach as an evidence-based and internationally recognised public health intervention.
The system is currently operational in 44 countries, including Chile, Mexico and Uruguay.
In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has already drafted the Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026, proposing mandatory black octagonal warning labels on ultra-processed products containing excessive levels of sugar, salt and saturated fat.
The draft regulations were submitted to the Ministry of Food on June 30 this year for finalisation.
However, more than two months after the submission, no visible progress has been made towards finalising the regulations, raising concerns among public health experts.
When inquired about the progress of the draft regulations, Shah Abdul Alim Khan, rejected to say details of the issue.
Regarding this issue, Md Safiqul Islam, Chairman (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) said, “We have submitted draft of the regulation to the commerce ministry. The ministry has further required several queries to the BFSA. We have further submitted the replies of those requisitions in the first week of this month. We think the work is in progress.”
The BFSA Chairman said they are regularly hammering the commerce ministry through the food ministry to finalise the regulatory.
He hoped that the regulatory will be passed soon.
When contacted Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member of the BFSA said, several national and international stakeholders are involved in the issue including the World Health Organisation and
business bodies. The ministries are working with the opinions from all of those important stakeholders on the issue.
“But the work is now going fast due to the government has given importance on the peoples’ health issue,” he said.
Experts have urged the authorities to complete the necessary procedures and introduce the regulations without further delay, saying clear warning labels could help consumers recognise unhealthy products and support efforts to prevent diet-related NCDs.
