ISLAMABAD: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) continue to impose a devastating health and economic burden on Pakistan, accounting for the majority of premature deaths and placing an overwhelming strain on national healthcare resources.
Experts warn that unhealthy diets, high in sugar, salt, and fats, are among the leading contributors to rising rates of heart disease, diabetes, obesity, cancer, and other chronic conditions.
In response to this growing crisis, public health advocates highlight Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWLs) as an evidence-based policy tool proven to help consumers quickly identify unhealthy products and make informed food choices.
Global and regional research strongly supports this measure, and the recent study published in “The Lancet” has further reinforced the effectiveness of warning labels in reducing consumption of harmful ultra-processed foods and beverages. The study emphasised that countries implementing clear, mandatory FOPWL systems have seen meaningful shifts toward healthier diets and a reduction in diet-related NCD risks.
Civil society organisations, including the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) and Heart File, in collaboration with the Ministry of National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination (MoNHSR&C), are actively working on the enactment of mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on all ultra-processed products in Pakistan. This policy is recognised as a critical step toward empowering consumers, reducing the NCD burden, and safeguarding public health—particularly for vulnerable groups such as children and low-income populations who are disproportionately targeted by the marketing of unhealthy foods.
“We urge the relevant institutions to expedite the process of enacting mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on ultra-processed products in the interest of public health,” said Sanaullah Ghumman, General Secretary of PANAH, while speaking to the media. “The scientific evidence is clear, the policy action is proven, and the need is urgent. Pakistan cannot afford further delays as NCDs continue to rise and affect millions of lives.”
He reiterated that timely policy implementation is essential to protect Pakistan’s population from preventable diseases and to strengthen national efforts toward a healthier and more productive society.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
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