News Flash
DHAKA, April 16, 2026 (BSS) – Speakers at a training programme have stressed the urgent need for introducing Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) on ultra-processed foods to combat the increasing threat of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh.
They said the risk of NCDs linked to the consumption of ultra-processed foods is rising at an alarming rate, and clear warning labels on the front of food packages can play a vital role in raising consumer awareness and promoting healthier dietary choices.
The observations came at a two-day workshop titled “Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh: Importance, Progress and Way Forward,” held on April 15-16 at the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bhaban in the capital.
The workshop, organised by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), brought together 29 journalists from print, television and online media.
Speakers said FOPL enables consumers to easily identify foods high in salt, sugar and saturated fat, allowing them to make informed decisions. They noted that the government has already taken initiatives to introduce mandatory FOPL and its swift implementation is now a timely demand.
Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), the workshop highlighted that unhealthy diets are among the leading preventable causes of NCDs and premature deaths worldwide, contributing to nearly 11 million deaths annually.
They said excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods rich in sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans-fat significantly increases the risk of obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.
In Bangladesh, around 570,000 people die each year from NCDs, accounting for about 71 percent of total deaths, with 19 percent being premature. Unhealthy dietary habits remain a major contributing factor to this high mortality rate.
The workshop also revealed that about 97 percent of people in the country consume packaged foods at least once a week, but most fail to understand the complex nutritional information on the back of packages.
Speakers said introducing clear warning labels on the front of packages would help bridge this gap, enabling consumers to better understand health risks and choose healthier options.
They added that 44 countries have already introduced FOPL, including 10 where it is mandatory, resulting in increased awareness and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods.
Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, Member of Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the government has taken initiatives to introduce FOPL to raise awareness about processed foods and expressed hope for its early implementation.
Abu Ahmed Shamim, Associate Scientist at BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health, said reducing dependency on ultra-processed foods is essential to lower NCD risks and that FOPL can guide consumers towards healthier choices.
WHO Programme Officer (Diet-Related Risk Factors) Samina Israt said FOPL would complement existing nutrient declarations and support national nutrition policies by creating an enabling environment for healthy eating.
Bangladesh Country Lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) Muhammad Ruhul Quddus said implementation of FOPL would reduce the burden of NCDs as well as healthcare costs for both the government and individuals.
Editor of Dhaka Tribune Reaz Ahmad stressed the need for continued media engagement, saying pressure must be maintained on policymakers through consistent reporting until FOPL is implemented.
Among others, Mortuza Haider Liton, Convener of Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance (ATMA), co-conveners Nadira Kiron and Mizan Chowdhury, and PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair spoke as discussants.
PROGGA Head of Programmes Md Hasan Shahriar and Programme Officer Shabnam Mostofa presented key findings and recommendations at the workshop.
