A day-long workshop was held in Dhaka to promote the introduction of easy-to-understand Front-of-Pack (FOP) nutrition warning labels on packaged food products as an effective measure to prevent diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh.
The workshop was organized by the Health Sector of Dhaka Ahsania Mission, with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, at Dhaka Ahsania Mission’s head office in Dhanmondi on Sunday morning (April 26). The key objective of the workshop was to analyze global and national contexts, understand political realities, identify key stakeholders, and develop a coordinated action plan for implementing FOP labeling in Bangladesh.
During the workshop, Iqbal Masud, Director of Health and WASH Sector at Dhaka Ahsania Mission, and Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of Reducing demand for unhealthy food, shared international experiences regarding FOP labeling. They highlighted that 44 countries worldwide have already introduced front-of-pack labeling systems, including 10 countries where it is mandatory. These initiatives have led to positive changes in consumer food choices, reduced unhealthy food consumption, and encouraged food manufacturers to improve product quality.
Public health expert and former advisor of IEDCR, Dr. M. Mushtaq Hossain, emphasized that front-of-pack labeling is not merely a labeling mechanism but a crucial public health intervention. He noted that its implementation could help protect future generations from the growing burden of NCDs. He also warned that excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt (sodium), saturated fat, and trans fat is contributing to the rapid rise of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and other NCDs. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 70–71 percent of all deaths in Bangladesh are caused by non-communicable diseases.
Policy expert Taifur Rahman stated that the complex nutrition information displayed on the back of packaged food products is often difficult for consumers to understand. He added that although nearly 97 percent of people in Bangladesh consume packaged foods at least once a week, many are unable to make informed decisions due to the lack of clear nutritional information. In this context, simple and visible warning labels on the front of food packages could play a vital role in helping consumers choose healthier foods.
The workshop, moderated by Project Coordinator Mahbuba Rahman, was attended by representatives from various organizations, including Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, CEO of Center for Law and Policy Affairs and public health policy expert; Aminul Islam Sujon, Technical Advisor at Vital Strategies; Syeda Anannya Rahman, Head of Program at Work for a Better Bangladesh; Saad Ibne Walid, Senior Officer at Youth Policy Forum; Md. Bazlur Rahman, Associate Professor at Dhaka International University; Abu Rushd Md. Ruhul Amin, Senior News Editor at Banglavision; Shahnaz Sharmin, Chief Reporter at Ekattor TV; Sushanta Sinha, Special Correspondent; and Marzana Muntaha, Coordinator of Ahsania Mission Youth Forum for Health and Wellbeing, among others.
Participants also engaged in group exercises to identify policymakers, political leaders, potential supporters, and opposing stakeholders, while analyzing their roles and influence. The workshop emphasized political mapping, conflict of interest analysis, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative strategy development. A strategic action plan for the next six months was also formulated during the event.
