Public health experts and rights activists have welcomed the government’s decision to introduce Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) on food products, calling for its swift implementation to protect public health and consumer rights.
They urged the government to ensure that the FOPL is designed in a way that even illiterate consumers can easily identify products that may be harmful to their health.The call was made during a discussion jointly organised by Bangladesh Medical University and the Centre for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA) in the capital on Thursday.
Speakers at the discussion highlighted that excessive sugar, salt, and trans fats are significant contributors to non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer. They emphasised the need for clear labelling of sugar, salt, trans fats, and saturated fats on product packaging.
A study presented by the Centre for Law and Policy Affairs during the meeting revealed that sugary drinks and chips do not display health warnings, with various motivational messages appearing on their packaging.Research on marketing practices showed that nearly 100% of shops feature advertisements for chips and sugary drinks, 70% of shopkeepers receive commissions for additional sales, 52% of shops use branded refrigerators, and 36% display promotional signboards.
Addressing the discussion as the chief guest, Prof Mujibur Rahman Howlader, Pro-Vice Chancellor of Bangladesh Medical University, stated, “Non-communicable diseases are on the rise in Bangladesh, and we must take action to control them. Along with raising awareness, legal measures must be implemented to ensure food safety.”
Dr Shibbir Ahmed Osmani, Joint Secretary of the Health Ministry, explained that the ministry is actively collaborating with other government departments to implement the new initiative, which will require labelling of sugar, salt, and trans fats on packaged foods.
Other speakers at the event included Dr Khalequzzaman Rumel of Bangladesh Medical University, Professor Dr Mohammad Shoaib, a member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Barrister Nishat Mahmud, a lawyer at the Bangladesh Supreme Court.