NAIROBI, Kenya – Health experts have called on the Kenyan government to expedite the implementation of front-of-pack labelling (FOPL) regulations to protect consumers from the health risks associated with excessive consumption of sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats.
The delay in enforcing the regulations, they warn, could lead to an increase in the prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes, hypertension, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Catherine Karekezi, Executive Director at Non-communicable Diseases Alliance Kenya, expressed concern that the ongoing delay in rolling out the FOPL regulations would exacerbate the rising rates of NCDs in the country.
She pointed out that these diseases now account for a significant portion of inpatient admissions and hospital deaths, with NCDs responsible for 41% of all deaths and 50% of hospital admissions in Kenya.
“Today, NCDs are associated with 41 percent of the total deaths and 50 percent of hospital admissions in the country,” Karekezi said, emphasizing the urgency of implementing FOPL regulations to help curb the growing public health crisis.
What Is Front-of-Pack Labelling?
Front-of-pack labelling is a system that places nutritional information directly on the front of food packaging, making it easier for consumers to quickly assess the health content of the products they purchase.
The labels will prominently display key nutrients of concern—sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats—using clear warning symbols or messages, such as “high in sugar” or “high in fat,” to alert consumers when products exceed recommended thresholds for these nutrients.
Anne Swakei, a programme officer at NCD Alliance Kenya, stressed that the lack of transparent food labelling has left consumers vulnerable to making unhealthy dietary choices.
She called for the mandatory inclusion of warning labels on food and beverage products that exceed safe limits for sugar, salt, and fats.
“We are urgently calling for the mandatory warning labels on the front of packaged food and beverage products that exceed recommended thresholds for the three nutrients of concern,” Swakei said.
The labelling system, she added, aligns with global public health recommendations and best practices, which would allow consumers to make healthier decisions at a glance.
Empowering Consumers and Reforming the Food Environment
The alliance believes that the adoption of FOPL will not only empower consumers to make healthier food choices but also pressure food manufacturers to reformulate their products to reduce harmful nutrients.
This shift, experts argue, will create a healthier food environment and help combat the rising tide of lifestyle-related diseases in Kenya.
In addition to FOPL, the Kenyan government is working on a special food classification system, the Nutrient Profile Model, which is designed to streamline healthy diet goals in the country and reduce the burden on the healthcare system.
Although still in development, this model will classify foods based on their nutritional value, establish threshold limits for harmful nutrients, and support public health campaigns to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods.
The NCD Alliance Kenya has been pushing for swift action on both FOPL regulations and the Nutrient Profile Model, warning that further delays could worsen the public health crisis.
The group’s advocacy highlights the need for population-based interventions to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, which are now a leading cause of death globally.
