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Experts have stressed that active media engagement is essential to improving food safety, preventing non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and ensuring consumers’ right to make informed food choices in Bangladesh.
The consensus emerged at a workshop titled “Media Campaign on Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) for Packaged Foods in Bangladesh,” organised by the Health and Nutrition Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission at the Bishwo Shahitto Kendro in the capital on Tuesday.
Speakers said the growing prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, obesity and kidney-related illnesses has become a major public health concern in Bangladesh.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 70 per cent of deaths in the country are linked to non-communicable diseases, many of which can be prevented through healthier diets and lifestyle choices.
Experts identified excessive levels of sugar, salt and harmful trans fats in processed foods as major contributors to the growing NCD burden.
They noted that nutritional information is currently often displayed in small, complex text on the back of food packages, making it difficult for many consumers to understand and use when making purchasing decisions.
They said a clear, simple and mandatory Front-of-Pack Labeling (FOPL) system could help consumers quickly identify products containing unhealthy levels of key ingredients and make more informed choices.
Delivering the welcome address, Iqbal Masud, Director of the Health Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, said excessive salt, sugar and fat in food were silently increasing health risks across the country.
“To protect children and young people from the harmful effects of processed foods, there is no alternative to an effective FOPL policy,” he said.
He added that the government had initiated steps to formulate FOPL regulations, with Dhaka Ahsania Mission working as a partner in the process.
“The media has an enormous role in engaging the public, raising awareness and drawing policymakers’ attention to this urgent public health issue,” he said.
Presenting the background and objectives of the initiative, Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Country Lead of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said the government was working to develop a simple and mandatory FOPL policy in line with international standards.
“To control non-communicable diseases and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals, all stakeholders must work together to strengthen preventive measures and create a safer food environment,” he said.
In his remarks, Protic Ejaz, President of the Bangladesh Health Reporters Forum, emphasised the need for stronger and more consistent reporting on food safety.
“Many people unknowingly buy processed foods that may pose health risks to their families and children,” he said. “One of the core responsibilities of journalism is to raise public awareness and maintain constructive pressure on policymakers to protect public health. Journalists must therefore report on this issue regularly.”
Samsun Nahar Mohua, Chief Nutritionist at BIRDEM General Hospital, warned that the growing consumption of processed foods among children and adolescents was increasing the risk of early-onset obesity and heart disease.
“A simple and visible warning or signal on the front of food packages can serve as an instant guide, helping consumers identify healthier and less healthy products,” she said.
Abu Rushd Md. Ruhul Amin, Senior News Editor at Bangla Vision, explained that FOPL is a clear and easy-to-understand labeling system designed to alert consumers within seconds when a packaged food contains excessive levels of unhealthy ingredients.
He noted that mandatory front-of-pack labeling in countries such as Chile and Mexico has increased consumer awareness and encouraged food manufacturers to reformulate products and introduce healthier options.
Mynul Hasan Sohel, General Secretary of Dhaka Reporters Unity, said the media could play a powerful role in bringing the issue to the forefront of public debate and policy discussions.
“Objective, evidence-based and investigative reporting can help remove public confusion, strengthen awareness and accelerate the implementation of an effective FOPL policy,” he said.
At the concluding session, participants agreed that the government, food industry owners, researchers, consumer rights organisations and the media must work in a coordinated manner to strengthen food safety and protect public health.
Participating journalists pledged to publish news reports and awareness-focused content to support the early implementation of an international-standard, mandatory Front-of-Pack Labeling policy in Bangladesh.
Speakers expressed hope that an effective FOPL system would empower consumers, encourage healthier food choices and help protect future generations from the growing risks of non-communicable diseases.