-Speakers at Journalists\u2019 Workshop<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The consumption of ultra-processed packaged foods high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats is rapidly rising among people of all ages, including children, adolescents and young adults in Bangladesh. At the same time, diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing alarmingly. In this context, clear warning labels or Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) can play a crucial role in preventing NCDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These issues were highlighted by speakers at a two-day long journalists\u2019 workshop titled \u201cFront-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) in Bangladesh: Importance, Progress and Way Forward,\u201d held on August 24-25 at the BIP Conference Room in Dhaka. Twenty-six (26) journalists from print, television and online media attended the workshop organized by PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress) with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Speakers at the workshop further noted that NCDs including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer and hypertension, account for approximately 71% of total deaths in Bangladesh, with unhealthy diets being a major contributing factor. However, consumers often struggle to interpret complex nutritional information presented in small print on the back of food packages, making it difficult to assess the nutritional quality and potential health risks of products. Introducing clear and easy-to-understand warning labels or FOPL on ultra-processed food packages can help consumers make more informed choices and is an effective measure to address diet-related NCDs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoeb, Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA), said,\u201cThe draft regulation is currently with the Ministry of Food. We are hopeful that it will be finalized soon upon completion of the necessary procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Abu Ahmed Shamim, Associate Scientist at the BRAC James P. Grant School of Public Health (JPGSPH), said, \u201cFOPL is a scientific approach to prevent NCDs. It will help consumers easily understand the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), said, \u201cSwift finalization and effective implementation of the FOPL regulation is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target of reducing premature deaths from NCDs by one-third.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Zahirul Alam, Executive Director of Channel 24, said, \u201cRegular media discussions and analysis highlighting the effectiveness of FOPL in addressing NCDs will help facilitate the finalization of the draft regulation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other speakers at the workshop included Mizan Chowdhury, Co-convener, Anti-Tobacco Media Alliance-ATMA; and ABM Zubair, Executive Director, PROGGA. The presentations in the workshop were delivered by PROGGA\u2019s Head of Programs, Md. Hasan Shahriar and Program Officer, Shabnam Mostofa.
-Press release<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
-Speakers at Journalists\u2019 Workshop The consumption of ultra-processed packaged foods high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats is rapidly rising among people of all ages, including children, adolescents and young adults in Bangladesh. At the same time, diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing alarmingly. In this context, clear warning labels or Front-of-Package Labelling (FOPL) can […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5934,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[20],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5936","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-english-news"],"yoast_head":"\n