A protest programme was organised in Bhola demanding clear disclosure of salt, sugar and trans fat levels in packaged food products and the introduction of health warning labels to safeguard public health.
The programme was organised by voluntary organisation My Right in front of the Bhola Press Club on Saturday (August 15) at noon.
Sheikh Farid, Executive Head of My Right Bhola, chaired the programme. Among the speakers were Mobashwir Ullah Chowdhury, President of Citizens for Good Governance (SUJAN); Junnu Raihan, Assistant Professor of Najiur Rahman College; Md. Sulaiman, Vice-President of Bhola Press Club; Advocate Salahuddin Prince; Harun-or-Rashid Sumon, Joint Convener of Bhola District Jubo Dal; Manjur Alam, District Correspondent of News24; Md. Arian Arif, former General Secretary of Bhola Media Club; Md. Sohel Rana, General Secretary of Bhola Multimedia Reporters Association, along with journalists Golam Kibria, Yamin, Aminul Islam and Saiful Islam Sani.
The speakers said that excessive consumption of salt, sugar and trans fat through processed and packaged foods is increasing health risks among people. They emphasised that consumers have the right to receive clear and understandable information about the ingredients and nutritional content of food products.
They alleged that many packaged food items produced at district and upazila levels do not properly mention their ingredients and nutritional information on labels, making it difficult for consumers to make safe choices.
The speakers demanded the implementation of mandatory health warning labels on packaged foods, clearly showing the amount of salt, sugar and trans fat. They also urged authorities to take effective steps to reduce the excessive use of these harmful ingredients in food products.
Representatives from different professions, voluntary organisations and members of the local community participated in the protest programme.
FP/R
