Citizens are increasingly consuming processed foods. All of these packaged goods contain additives such as salt, sugar, and trans fats. Excessive usage of these elements contributes to the rise of non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. Salt, sugar, and trans fats should be decreased in packaged foods to safeguard the well-being of citizens. And for this reason, health warnings and traffic light signs on packaged food are required. So that citizens may quickly determine the amount of salt, sugar, and transfat in the package by looking at a sign. Furthermore, legal action must be taken to prevent the advertising of harmful foods to or directed toward children.
The speakers spoke at a consultation meeting titled ‘Existing Laws, Policies for Ensuring Healthy Food: Obstacles and Actions’ conducted by the Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA) on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Hotel Bengal Blueberry in Gulshan, the capital.
The Director General (Additional Secretary) of the Ministry of Food’s Food Planning and Supply Unit attended the event as the chief guest. CLPA Research Consultant Professor Dr. AFM Sarwar presided over the event.
Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, who presented the keynote at the meeting, stated that nutritional information is included on the packaging of existing packaged foods in Bangladesh. However, this information is beyond the understanding of the average people. The existing Safe Food Act requires health warnings and traffic light signs on packaged foods. So that even people with no education can learn about nutritious foods by looking at the color of the package.