Staff Reporter

An initiative to introduce mandatory warning labels on ultra-processed packaged foods in Bangladesh has stalled, despite growing concerns over the health risks associated with excessive consumption of products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

The rising consumption of ultra-processed foods has coincided with an increasing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the country. Health experts warn that regular consumption of foods high in sugar, salt and fat can increase the risk of hypertension, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

An estimated 13.9 million people in Bangladesh are living with diabetes, while one in four adults suffers from hypertension. Cardiovascular diseases alone claim nearly 283,000 lives in the country every year, according to the information cited by health experts.

Research also shows the widespread consumption of ultra-processed packaged foods in Bangladesh. Around 97 percent of the population consumes such products at least once a week, while 63 percent of the products reportedly contain high levels of salt or sodium.

Another study found that most ultra-processed packaged foods exceed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) recommended limits for sugar, salt and fat. Despite this, nutritional information on many packaged products is either incomplete or absent, making it difficult for consumers to assess their potential health risks.

EXPERTS PUSH FOR FRONT-OF-PACKAGE WARNINGS

Against this backdrop, public health experts are calling for mandatory warning-based front-of-package labelling (FOPL) on ultra-processed packaged foods and beverages.

Under a warning-based FOPL system, prominent labels are placed on the front of packages to alert consumers when products contain excessive amounts of sugar, salt or saturated fat. Experts say the system enables consumers to identify potentially harmful products quickly and make more informed choices.

Warning-based FOPL systems are currently used in 44 countries, including Chile, Mexico and Uruguay. Ten of these countries have made such warning labels mandatory, according to experts.

Evidence from countries that have introduced the system suggests that front-of-package warnings can increase consumer awareness and encourage food manufacturers to reformulate products by reducing excessive levels of sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.

Public health advocates therefore consider warning-based FOPL an evidence-based intervention that could contribute to reducing the country’s growing burden of NCDs.

DRAFT REGULATION AWAITING FINALISATION

The Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) has already prepared the draft Safe Food (Packaged Food Labelling) Regulations, 2026, proposing mandatory black octagonal warning labels on ultra-processed packaged foods containing excessive amounts of sugar, salt and saturated fat.

Following public consultations, reviews and necessary verification, the draft was submitted to the Ministry of Food on June 30 for further processing and finalisation.

However, more than two months after its submission, there has been no visible progress towards finalising the proposed regulations, raising concerns among public health advocates over the delay.

Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb, a member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, said the draft is currently with the Ministry of Food.

“The draft regulation is currently with the Ministry of Food. From the Ministry of Food, it will be sent to the Ministry of Law, and we are hopeful that it will be finalised soon upon completion of the necessary procedures.”

‘A PRESSING PUBLIC HEALTH PRIORITY’

ABM Zubair, executive director of PROGGA, urged the government to move quickly to finalise the proposed regulation.

“Swift finalisation of the FOPL regulation is a pressing public health priority. The government must ensure strong, mandatory warning-based front-of-package labels to protect consumers’ right to know and make informed food choices,” he said.

As Bangladesh faces a growing burden of diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular diseases, public health experts say clear and easily understandable information on packaged food is increasingly important.

The proposed warning-label system is intended to give consumers that information at the point of purchase. Its implementation, however, now depends on the completion of the government’s regulatory process.