Dhaka Correspondent : Excessive consumption of sugar, salt and trans fats is one of the leading causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). To address the country’s growing burden of NCDs and to protect consumer rights and access to information, speakers stressed the urgent need to make mandatory disclosures on sugar, salt and trans fat content on packaged food products. They noted that globally, Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) systems are being implemented to ensure clear health warnings related to sugar, salt and trans fats, and urged the government to introduce a similar system in Bangladesh without delay.

These views were expressed on Saturday (1 January 2026) at a consultation meeting titled “International Experiences and Way Forward on Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) for Public Health Protection”, held at a hotel in the capital.

The event was jointly organised by the Centre for Law and Policy Affairs (CLPA), ARK Foundation and the Public Health Lawyers Network. The discussion focused on global best practices and policy actions related to front-of-package labelling to safeguard public health. Participants included government officials, public health experts, lawyers, representatives of international consumer rights organisations, civil society members and media professionals.

Public health experts at the meeting said that non-communicable diseases are currently responsible for nearly 70% of deaths in Bangladesh. The primary drivers of these diseases are unhealthy diets high in sugar, salt and fat. They noted that 97% of the population consumes packaged food at least once a week, and due to the lack of clear nutritional information, people are suffering serious health and economic consequences. Speakers added that around 6.4 million people fall into poverty every year due to medical expenses.

They further warned that without clear and visible labelling, consumers—especially children—remain vulnerable to misleading marketing practices. Experts expressed concern that the absence of proper health warnings on most carbonated drinks and juices poses a serious threat to public health and contradicts international standards. They emphasised that front-of-package labelling is a WHO-recommended, evidence-based approach that empowers consumers to make healthier food choices and holds food manufacturers accountable.

Speakers also stressed the importance of raising public awareness so that consumers consider nutritional information printed on product packaging before making purchases. If such a system is effectively implemented, producers would be compelled to provide accurate information on labels. At the same time, they called for strong legal measures to ensure compliance. The participants urged the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority and other relevant agencies to adopt a science-based, easy-to-understand front-of-package labelling system, protect policy decisions from vested interests, and rapidly integrate FOPL into national strategies for preventing non-communicable diseases.

The meeting was attended by Prof Dr Md Shoaib, Member (Food Industry Production), Bangladesh Food Safety Authority; Engr Md Abdullah Al Mamun, Deputy Director (Metrology), BSTI; Advocate Md Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead, GHAI; Prof Dr Md Atikul Haque, Chairman, Department of Public Health, Bangladesh Medical University; Prof Dr Md Anwar Hossain, Chairman and Head, Department of Public Health, State University; Prof Rumana Haque, Executive Director, ARK Foundation; Prof Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, Head, Department of Epidemiology and Research, National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute; Barrister Nishat Mahmud, Member Secretary, Public Health Lawyers Network; Rei Ozaki, Chief Adviser, Health Project, JICA; Advocate Syed Mahbubul Alam, Secretary, CLPA; Prof AFM Sarwar, Consultant, CLPA; Aminul Islam Bokul, Head of Programme, CLPA; Kamrunnisa Munna, Policy Analyst, CLPA; Palash Chandra Banik, Associate Professor, Bangladesh University of Health Sciences; Prof Amirul Islam Lintu, Executive Director, Dushtha Shasthya Kendra (DSK); Fahmida Islam, Member, Citizen Network; Associate Professor Bazlul Rahman, Member Secretary, Centre for Governance and Development; Syeda Anannya Rahman, Head of Programme, WBB Trust; Farhana Zaman Liza, Dhaka International University; Abul Kalam Azad, CAB; Seema Das Simu, Director, UBINIG; Farida Parvin Flora, Advocate, Appellate Division, Bangladesh Supreme Court; Advocate Md Awlad Hossain, Global Legal Studies and Development Centre; Menezalmala, Executive Director, COSMOS, along with representatives from various other organisations.