GOVERNMENT is set to clamp down on the marketing and sale of unhealthy and ultra-processed foods high in sugar, salt and fat as part of sweeping nutrition reforms aimed at curbing rising diet-related diseases and improving the nation’s health outcomes.
The measures are set to be implemented over the next five years through the review of an array of food-related legislation to restrict the promotion and availability of unhealthy foods, particularly ultra-processed products that are linked to obesity, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease.
The new measures are outlined under the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2).
According to the NDS2, Government will tighten controls on the advertising, labelling and distribution of foods that are high in sugar, salt and unhealthy fats, while strengthening public awareness around healthy dietary choices.
This will be supported by amendments to key laws, including the Public Health Act, the Food and Food Standards Act, the Animal Health Act, the Dairy Act and the National Biotechnology Act, to ensure that food regulation promotes healthier consumption patterns and protects consumers.
“The Social Behaviour Change and Communication Strategy will draw on global best practices, incorporating behaviour diagnosis, context-specific messaging and the use of multiple communication channels ranging from mass media to interpersonal networks, in order to effectively influence dietary practices,” reads the document.
“The nutrition campaign strategy will also embrace proven community-based approaches, including Positive Deviance, Nutrition Impact and Positive Practice and Caregiver models.
“This will be supported by review of the legislation on food to align with best practice on restricting the marketing of unhealthy foods, such as ultra-processed products high in sugar, salt and fat.”
The reforms come at a time when Zimbabwe, like many countries, is experiencing a rapid shift in eating habits, with growing consumption of ultra-processed foods such as sugary drinks, flavoured juices, energy drinks, sweetened yoghurts, crisps, instant noodles, processed meats and fast foods.
Health authorities say these products are widely consumed, particularly by children and young people, yet offer little nutritional value while increasing the risk of non-communicable diseases.
In other countries, authorities have banned junk food advertising during children’s television programmes, restricting sales of sugary drinks in schools, imposing sugar taxes and requiring warning labels on foods high in salt, sugar and fat.
Mandatory labelling
The reforms will also introduce mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling, requiring food manufacturers to place clear, standardised nutrition information on the front of food packages, rather than in small print on the back.
“Mandatory front-of-pack nutrition labelling will be introduced and enforced under the review of the legislation to empower consumers to make informed choice over healthier foods,” reads the plan.
It is envisaged that under the proposed system, key indicators such as sugar, salt, total fat, saturated fat and calorie content will be prominently displayed in an easy-to-understand format, allowing consumers to quickly assess the health implications of a product at the point of purchase.
Health experts say front-of-pack labelling is critical in addressing low nutrition literacy, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas where consumption of processed foods is increasing.
By simplifying nutrition information, the labels are intended to help consumers compare products and make healthier choices without needing specialised knowledge.
In some jurisdictions, the labelling framework also includes warning symbols or colour-coded indicators to flag products that exceed recommended thresholds for sugar, salt and unhealthy fats.
In addition to empowering consumers, the measure is designed to incentivise food manufacturers to reformulate products, reducing sugar, salt and fat levels to avoid negative labelling and remain competitive in the market.
Nutrition-sensitive agriculture
Government will also prioritise nutrition-sensitive agriculture to strengthen food and nutrition security.
This will include promoting the production and consumption of bio-fortified crops such as vitamin A-enriched maize, orange-fleshed sweet potatoes and iron-rich beans to tackle widespread micronutrient deficiencies, especially among women, children and other vulnerable groups.
“The promotion will be done through national programmes like Pfumvudza/Intwasa and school feeding initiatives,” reads the NDS2.
“To support diverse and nutritious diets, farmers will be encouraged to adopt diversified production systems, incorporating layering and sequencing activities such as aquaculture, beekeeping and small livestock rearing.
“These measures aim to reduce overreliance on staple crops while enhancing household nutrition outcomes.” – Herald
