Health experts and food safety advocates have called for the urgent introduction of mandatory warning-based front-of-package labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh, warning that the growing consumption of ultra-processed foods is accelerating the country’s burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

The call came during 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) to mark World Food Safety Day 2026. This year’s global theme is “From Burden to Solution: Safe Food Everywhere.”

Speakers highlighted that ultra-processed foods, often loaded with excessive sugar, salt, saturated fat and trans-fat, are significantly increasing the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, hypertension, obesity, cancer and other health complications. Citing World Health Organization data, they noted that NCDs claim approximately 570,263 lives annually in Bangladesh, accounting for nearly 71 percent of all deaths.

Participants stressed that nutrition information currently printed on the back of food packages is often too complex for consumers to understand, making it difficult to assess health risks. 

Introducing mandatory front-of-package warning labels would allow consumers to quickly identify products high in harmful ingredients and make healthier food choices. The World Health Organization recognizes FOPL as a cost-effective “best-buy” public health intervention.

Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said 44 countries have already implemented front-of-package labelling and reported positive shifts in consumer purchasing behavior. “Bangladesh is also working on this issue, and we hope to introduce it soon,” he said.

Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of GHAI, said the measure would support progress toward Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature deaths from NCDs.

Shamsun Naher Nahid, Chief Nutritionist at BIRDEM General Hospital, emphasized that warning labels are essential for raising public awareness about harmful ingredients in packaged foods.

The webinar was chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair and featured participation from policymakers, public health experts, civil society representatives, journalists and youth leaders from across the country.

—