PANAH Urges Pakistan to Fast-Track Front-of-Pack Warning Labels
Health think tank calls for mandatory labels on foods high in sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats
ISLAMABAD, September 4: PANAH’s Think Tank has called on the Government of Pakistan to expedite the enactment of mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWLs) on ultra-processed food products containing excessive levels of sugar, sodium and unhealthy fats.
The organisation said clear warning labels would allow consumers to quickly identify products that may carry health risks and make more informed food choices.
The demand was raised during the 5th meeting of PANAH’s high-level think tank, chaired by PANAH President Maj Gen (R) Masud Rehman Kiani and attended by national and international health experts, policymakers and civil society representatives.
Participants expressed concern over the growing burden of heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Pakistan, calling for urgent measures to address unhealthy food environments.
‘Consumers Have a Right to Know’
Maj Gen (R) Masud Rehman Kiani said consumers should have access to clear and easily understandable information about the food products they purchase.
“Consumers have a right to know what they are eating,” he said, adding that people should not need expert knowledge to determine whether a product contains excessive amounts of sugar, salt or unhealthy fats.
He said a clear warning label placed prominently on the front of a package could provide consumers with immediate information and help them make healthier choices.
Kiani also urged Pakistan to learn from countries that have already introduced front-of-pack warning labels.
“The evidence and international experience are available. There is no justification for unnecessary delay while women and children continue to be exposed to unhealthy foods, putting their health and lives at risk,” he said.
He called for decisive action to protect children and young people in particular from unhealthy food environments.
PANAH Raises Concern Over Delayed Proposal
During the meeting, participants said the increasing availability and consumption of unhealthy foods, particularly ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, was contributing to the rising burden of diet-related NCDs.
They said mandatory FOPWLs could help consumers identify products containing high levels of nutrients of concern and support healthier purchasing decisions.
PANAH General Secretary Sana Ullah Ghumman said the Ministry of National Health Services had already submitted an evidence-based proposal on FOPWLs to the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) through the Ministry of Science and Technology.
“It has now been more than two years since the proposal was submitted, yet it remains under discussion while people continue to be exposed to the health risks associated with unhealthy diets,” Ghumman said.
Call for Immediate Implementation
The think tank recommended the urgent enactment and implementation of mandatory national FOPWL standards in Pakistan.
It called for warning labels to be clear, prominent and easy for consumers to understand, while urging PSQCA and the Ministry of Science and Technology to move forward without further delay.
PANAH said effective FOPWL standards would form part of broader efforts to create healthier food environments and prevent non-communicable diseases in Pakistan.
The organisation also reaffirmed its commitment to working with the government, health experts, researchers, Ulema, media and civil society to support comprehensive, effective and evidence-based FOPWL standards and other public health measures.
