Photo : Collected

DHAKA, June 7, 2026 (BSS) - Speakers at a webinar today said that simple, clear and mandatory warning-based front-of-package labelling (FOPL) can play a significant role in reducing health risks associated with ultra-processed foods and help consumers make safer and healthier food choices.

The observations came at a webinar titled "Health Risks of Ultra-Processed Foods and the Way Forward: Bangladesh Perspective", organized by research and advocacy organization PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), marking World Food Safety Day 2026, said a press release.

This year's theme of the day is "From Burden to Solution: Safe Food Everywhere".

The webinar noted that ultra-processed foods, which are often high in sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans-fat, are increasing the risk of several non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and other health problems in Bangladesh.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), NCDs are responsible for around 570,263 deaths in Bangladesh every year, accounting for nearly 71 percent of total deaths. 

Excessive sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans-fat in ultra-processed foods are further increasing the risk of these diseases, the webinar was told.

The panel of speakers observed that the nutrition information provided on the back of ultra-processed food packages is often too complex for most consumers to understand. As a result, many consumers purchase food products without a clear understanding of their nutritional value or potential health risks.

They said that mandatory FOPL would enable consumers to identify foods high in sugar, salt and saturated fat through clear warning messages displayed on the front of packages. Such labelling would help consumers make more informed decisions and encourage healthier and safer food choices.

The WHO has recommended FOPL as an effective and best-buy public health intervention, they added.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, said, “A total of 44 countries around the world have already introduced FOPL, and these countries have seen positive changes in consumers’ food choices. Bangladesh is also working on this issue, and we hope to introduce it soon.”

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of the Global Health Advocacy Incubator, said, “If FOPL is implemented in Bangladesh, it will help accelerate progress towards achieving SDG Target 3.4, which focuses on reducing non communicable diseases.”

Shamsun Naher Nahid, Chief Nutritionist of the Food and Nutrition Department at BIRDEM General Hospital, said, “FOPL should be introduced to raise public awareness about the levels of harmful ingredients in packaged foods.”

Mustak Hassan Md. Iftekhar, Founding Chairman of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, and Aminul Islam Sujon, Consultant at Vital Strategies, also spoke at the webinar. The webinar was chaired by PROGGA’s Executive Director, ABM Zubair, moderated by Coordinator Mashiat Abedin, and featured the keynote presentation by Program Officer Shabnam Mostofa.

Representatives from civil society organizations, NGOs and youth groups, along with journalists and people from different professional backgrounds across the country, participated in the webinar.