ISLAMABAD — The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH), alongside public health experts and consumer rights advocates, called on the Government of Pakistan this week to expedite the enactment of mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels (FOPWL). This urgent appeal aims to regulate ultra-processed food and beverage products to reduce the consumption of harmful nutrients and combat the country's surging crisis of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“Informed consumers and healthier food environments are essential to reduce Pakistan’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases,” stated Sana Ullah Ghumman, General Secretary of PANAH. The proposed labels would provide simplified nutritional data, allowing citizens—including those in low-literacy settings—to identify products high in salt, sugar, and hazardous fats at a glance.

Addressing the Crisis of Non-Communicable Diseases

Pakistan is currently grappling with a massive public health and economic burden fueled by NCDs. A significant portion of these illnesses is linked to diet-related risks, specifically the high intake of:

• Sodium/Salt

• Sugar and Non-sugar Sweeteners

• Trans Fats and Saturated Fats

While the Ministry of National Health Services submitted an evidence-based proposal for FOPWL to the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) two years ago, the policy remains under deliberation. Advocates are now urging the Ministry of Science and Technology to bypass further delays and finalize these regulations.

The "Black Octagon" Warning System

The proposed policy follows global best practices, recommending a black octagonal warning label printed in Urdu. This label would be mandatory for any food product exceeding WHO-recommended thresholds for harmful ingredients.

Ghumman criticized industry interference, noting that certain food industry segments are attempting to mislead policymakers to protect commercial interests. "Policy-making must remain guided by independent scientific evidence and public health priorities, free from undue commercial influence," Ghumman emphasized.

Urgent Measures Requested by Advocates

The coalition of health experts and researchers has outlined four critical demands for the PSQCA and federal ministries:

• Expedite Enactment: Immediately implement mandatory FOPWL based on WHO Nutrient Profile Models.

• Ensure Transparency: Protect the policy-making process from commercial and industry influence.

• Protect Vulnerable Groups: Safeguard children from misleading marketing and unhealthy food environments.

• Prioritize Prevention: Shift focus toward evidence-based preventive healthcare to lower national NCD rates.