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Kenya is facing a growing crisis of diet-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity attributed to poor feeding habits.
To address this, experts recommend mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL) as an effective strategy to promote healthier eating habits.
FOPWL are placed on food packages that warn consumers if a product contains high sugar, salt, fat, or other unhealthy ingredients.
The labels may use symbols, text, or colors to help people quickly identify unhealthy foods and make informed choices before consumption.
Celine Awuor, the Chief Executive Officer of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), emphasizes that FOPWL is key in influencing what Kenyans eat.
“FOPWL empowers consumers to make informed choices about their diets, which supports healthier eating habits. These labels are designed to be clear and straightforward, warning consumers about foods high in nutrients of concern for example sugar, salt, saturated fat and total fat,” she explains.
“By displaying the information “high in sugar and salt, simply on the front panel of the food package, FOPWL helps people make better nutritional choices and think more carefully about what they eat. This is especially important in a market full of unhealthy food options that often have high levels of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats,” adds Awuor.
The impact of FOPWL extends far beyond individual consumer choices- they have the potential to inform and shape broader public health policies that can lead to meaningful changes in the food environment.
Timothy Wafula who leads the Health and Governance Thematic area at the Kenya Legal and Ethical Issues Network on HIV and AIDS (KELIN) notes that:
“These labels not only inform consumers but can also inform measures on restricting marketing of unhealthy foods to children.”
This dual function of FOPWL is particularly important in protecting families from misleading marketing practices.
Through supporting policies that control how unhealthy foods are promoted, FOPWL can build a healthier future for the next generation, guiding them away from harmful eating habits.
Transparency on what is contained in our food is another critical aspect of consumer empowerment that FOPWL addresses.
Imelda Namayi, the technical lead for Health and Education at the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) notes that:
“Consumers deserve to know if a product has too much sugar, salt, or fat. FOPWL meets this need for transparency, helping individuals to make informed choices and the nutritional value of the products they are eating.”
This openness is essential in a market where many products are misleadingly marketed as healthy or low-calorie, which can confuse people and lead to unhealthy choices.
The increasing prevalence of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs) poses a major public health challenge in Kenya, demanding urgent action.
Dr Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director of Non-Communicable Disease Alliance of Kenya (NCDAK) stresses the importance of tackling this issue.
“The rising number of diet-related diseases highlights the urgent need for effective nutritional labeling. Mandatory FOPWL can serve as a preventive measure by discouraging the consumption of unhealthy foods and promoting healthier alternatives.”
Through providing consumers with the knowledge, they need to make better choices, FOPWL can play a vital role in reducing the incidence of these diseases, which require life-long management and often burden the healthcare system and negatively impact the quality of life for many Kenyans.
FOPWL have been shown to work well worldwide.
Dr Shukri Mohamed, an Associate Research Scientist from the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), highlights says:
“Research from many countries shows that FOPWL helps reduce the consumption of foods high in sugar, salt, and fat. This evidence supports introducing similar labels in Kenya to help address urgent public health issues.
By learning from countries that have successfully used these labels, Kenya can take a similar approach to improve public health."
Introducing mandatory FOPWL in Kenya is a big and important step towards better health across the country.
"FOPWL helps people make informed choices, guides policy decisions, and addresses the growing problem of diet-related diseases. By supporting healthier eating habits, FOPWL can play a key role in improving the health of Kenyans," he says.
"With strong support from various groups, it is clear that FOPWL isn’t just beneficial but necessary for a healthier future in Kenya."
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