Kenya's Packaged Food Faces Health Warning Shake-Up
Under new government rules in Kenya, nearly all locally sold packaged food and drinks would require health warning labels due to high levels of salt, sugar, or saturated fat. As health concerns rise with changing diets, officials strive to curb obesity and diet-related diseases.
In Kenya, sweeping new government regulations could soon mandate health warning labels on nearly all packaged foods and beverages sold locally. An independent report, shared with Reuters, highlights concerns about high levels of salt, sugar, and saturated fats in the majority of these products.
The Access to Nutrition Initiative (ATNI) revealed that 90% of products from both international giants like Coca-Cola and Nestle, along with local brands such as Brookside Dairy and Manji Foods, do not meet the government's nutrient profile model. This new model, unveiled this month, commits Kenya to developing front-of-package labels.
Katherine Pittore, Head of Policy at ATNI, emphasizes the critical juncture Kenya faces. While processed food sales surged by 16% over five years and obesity rates climbed, she urges preventive measures to avoid following in the steps of nations with high obesity levels like the U.S.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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