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Published : 16 Apr 2026, 08:09 PM
Bangladesh is facing a rapidly escalating public health crisis driven by poor dietary habits and ultra-processed foods, according to a media statement and remarks made at a journalists’ workshop on food labelling held in Dhaka.
Speakers at the two-day event, titled “Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh: Importance, Progress and Way Forward”, urged the swift implementation of mandatory warning labels on packaged foods to help consumers identify products high in salt, sugar, and saturated fats, the statement said on Thursday.
The workshop, held on Apr 15-16 at the Bangladesh Medical Association (BMA) Bhaban, was organised by PROGGA-Knowledge for Progress with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). It brought together 29 journalists from print, television, and online media, the statement read.
It added that non-communicable diseases (NCDs) linked to unhealthy diets are rising at an “alarming rate” in Bangladesh. Speakers stressed that front-of-package labelling is an effective tool to improve public awareness and encourage healthier food choices.
Citing World Health Organization (WHO) estimates shared at the workshop, participants noted that unhealthy diets are among the leading preventable causes of NCDs and premature deaths globally, responsible for nearly 11 million deaths each year.
In Bangladesh, around 570,000 people die annually from NCDs, accounting for roughly 71 percent of total deaths, with 19 per cent classified as premature.
Poor dietary habits were identified as a key contributing factor.
The workshop also highlighted that 97 percent of people in Bangladesh consume packaged foods at least once a week, yet most struggle to interpret complex nutritional information printed on packaging.
Advocates argued that simple front-of-pack warning labels would allow consumers to make informed decisions at a glance.
Participants also said 44 countries have introduced FOPL systems, 10 of which have made them mandatory.
Evidence from these countries, the statement said, shows improved consumer awareness and reduced consumption of unhealthy foods.
Prof Mohammad Shoeb, member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said the government has already taken steps to introduce FOPL, expressing hope for its early implementation.
Abu Ahmed Shamim of BRAC James P Grant School of Public Health said reducing reliance on ultra-processed foods is essential to lowering NCD risks, while WHO’s Samina Israt stressed that FOPL would support healthier dietary behaviour across all population groups.
GHAI’s Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus said effective labelling would reduce both the national disease burden and healthcare costs.
Media representatives, including Dhaka Tribune Editor Reaz Ahmad, called for sustained journalistic pressure on policymakers to ensure timely implementation of the labelling system.
