Govt to introduce Front-of-Package food labels

The government is set to introduce Front-of-Package Labeling (FOPL) to inform consumers about potentially harmful ingredients such as sugar, trans fats, and sodium in food products.

The initiative aims to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and align with global health standards.

As part of this move, packaged food and beverage labels will include warnings about excessive sugar, salt, and fats on the principal display.

FOPL is designed to help consumers make healthier choices by providing quick and easy-to-understand information on critical nutrients, including total fats, saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium.

Govt directives and approvals

The Health Services Division of the Health Ministry has been directed to take the necessary steps to implement the FOPL system. Recently, the Council of Advisors approved a proposal mandating front-of-pack warning labels on food and beverage packaging.

Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has signed the decision, formalising the government's commitment to ensuring transparency in food labeling.

Muhammad Nazmul Haque, deputy secretary of the Cabinet Division, confirmed that the government has already issued necessary instructions to include sugar, salt, and fat content warnings on packaged food to protect public health and control NCDs.

According to the Advisory Council’s decision, the Health Services Division will coordinate with the Commerce Ministry to ensure the implementation follows international and regional best practices.

Public health and rights activists have welcomed the government’s move.

Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, a public health and environmental policy expert, stated that FOPL can be introduced under existing laws, as the Food Safety Act, 2013 already requires information on salt, sugar, and trans fats in food packaging.

He emphasised the role of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) and the Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) in overseeing the implementation under the Health Ministry's leadership.

Barrister Nishat Mahmood, a lawyer at the Bangladesh Supreme Court, noted that FOPL will empower consumers to make informed food choices, reducing the consumption of unhealthy products and helping prevent NCDs.

However, she stressed the need to strengthen existing laws and policies to ensure effective implementation.

A summary presented at the Advisory Council meeting highlighted that NCDs such as heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes account for 70% of all deaths in Bangladesh. Additionally:

70% of healthcare expenses are paid out-of-pocket, pushing 4% of the population into poverty each year. To meet SDG targets, Bangladesh must reduce NCD-related deaths by 30% by 2030. Excessive sugar and salt intake from packaged foods and beverages is a major contributor to NCDs.

The report also noted that consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and processed foods is rising in Bangladesh, increasing health risks.

Packaged and fast foods—such as sandwiches, pizza, chips, soups, crackers, and fried items—contain high amounts of salt and sodium, which can come from baking soda, monosodium glutamate, and sodium nitrate, further escalating health concerns.

Globally, countries including Canada, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Israel, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, Venezuela, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand have already adopted FOPL systems to reduce NCDs and promote healthier diets.

Bangladesh currently relies on back-of-package nutrition labels, which can be complex and difficult for consumers to interpret.

In response, the government has issued directives to mandate clear labeling on both locally produced and imported packaged foods, water bottles, and canned beverages.

The proposal for FOPL implementation was presented to the Advisory Council for further guidance, following Rule 16 (iv) of the Rules of Business, 1996.