Manila:Speakers at a recent webinar emphasized the urgent need to finalise the draft food labelling regulation, highlighting the importance of mandatory warning labels on packaged foods to protect public health and reduce diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
According to United News of Bangladesh, the webinar, titled 'Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on Ultra-Processed Foods Progress, Barriers, and the Way Forward,' was organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). The event marked World Food Day 2026 and underscored the rapid increase in the consumption of ultra-processed foods in Bangladesh, which elevates the risk of NCDs.
Speakers pointed out that the draft 'Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026' has not yet been finalised due to pressure from the food industry. They called for the regulation to remain free from industry interference to effectively safeguard public health. The proposed Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) system aims to provide consumers with clear and simple warnings about the nutritional quality of food products, which is crucial for making healthier choices.
The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has drafted the regulation, which is pending approval by the Ministry of Food. The draft regulation faces opposition from domestic and international food industry stakeholders, who are pushing for voluntary labeling systems and other changes that could undermine its effectiveness.
Health experts, including Dr. Mohammad Mushtuq Husain and Abu Ahmed Shamim, stressed the importance of implementing mandatory FOPL to combat diet-related NCDs and reduce healthcare costs. Media representatives and public health advocates also highlighted the role of clear labeling in promoting public health and the necessity of expediting the regulation's finalisation.