A mass media campaign (MMC), named as FOPL campaign, was launched today to build public awareness and support for front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) on ultra-processed and packaged food and drinks high in sugar, salt and saturated fat. This campaign aims to support government efforts to introduce warning labels that help consumers identify unhealthy products that may harm their health.
 
The campaign was officially launched at a press conference held at the National Press Club in Dhaka today (25 October). It is jointly organized by the Coalition for Healthy Food, Center for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA), Dhaka Ahsania Mission (DAM), National Heart Foundation (NHF), PROGGA and Work for a Better Bangladesh (WBB) Trust, according to a press release.
 
The campaign comes amid a growing burden of diet-related noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh. NCDs account for nearly 71% of all deaths in the country, with cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes among the leading causes. Additionally, overweight prevalence among adults in Bangladesh is approximately 31.8%, while 13.4% are living with obesity. Overweight and obesity increase the risk for developing NCDs, including Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and stroke.
 
Front-of-package warning labels help consumers quickly identify packaged foods and drinks that contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt and saturated fat. By making nutrition information clear and easy to understand, these labels help people make informed choices and discourage purchases of unhealthy products. They are an important, evidence-based policy to help improve food environments and reduce the burden of diet-related diseases.
 
Md Safiqul Islam, Chairman, (Additional Secretary), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) attended the launch press conference as chief guest and formally inaugurated the front-of-package labeling campaign. The event was chaired by Dr. Sohel Reza Choudhury, Professor and Head of Research and Epidemiology, NHF and moderated by Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector, DAM, with Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member (Food Industry and Production), BFSA and Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) speaking as special guests. Saifuddin Ahmed, Executive Director of WBB Trust, ABM Zubair, Executive Director of PROGGA and Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Secretary of CLPA were also in attendance.
 
In his speech as chief guest, Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Md. Safiqul Islam said, “Ensuring safe food remains one of the authority’s key priorities. To this end, the BFSA is working to formulate the necessary regulations on front-of-package warning labels (FOPL) to raise public awareness of unhealthy packaged foods and beverages high in sugar, salt and saturated fat.”
 
The two-month campaign will run through December 13, 2026, across television and radio, digital platforms, social media, online and print newspapers and Google advertising. The campaign aims to draw attention to the unhealthy ingredients and excessive sugar, salt and saturated fat in many common packaged food products. Moreover, the campaign will also support the government to promulgate the regulation of Front-Of-Package Warning Labels on Packaged Foods and Drinks in Bangladesh. Campaign materials include video and audio commercials, static images and other public facing content, which will also be shared through partner organizations’ social media pages.