Childhood under- and over-nutrition are fuelling an epidemic of adult NCDs, with children increasingly targeted as a new and emerging market. Front-of-pack labels (FOPLs) have emerged as a World Health Organisation-endorsed policy vehicle to improve nutrition. FOPLs have been credited with improving consumer literacy on healthy diets and are being used to supplement other non-communicable disease prevention policies, and as a mechanism to identify foods subject to marketing restrictions.

Overweight and obesity are on the rise amongst South Africa’s children, and fuelling a growing epidemic of adult NCDs.  Many of our children are growing up in communities where healthy foods are unavailable or unaffordable, as local markets have become flooded by cheap ultraprocessed foods - low in nutrients and high in sugar, salt and fat.  In addition, children are increasingly targeted by advertisers as young consumers who through their ‘pester power’ also shape family purchases. 

For this reason, the WHO has – as part of its global obesity strategy - recommended that States develop front-of-pack labels to help consumers identify foods that are harmful to their health, and to then ensure that these unhealthy foods are not marketed to children.  The draft regulations issued by the Department of Health are currently out for comment, and we encourage everyone who cares about children’s health and nutrition to make submissions ahead by 21 July.

For more information:

• Advocacy Presentation
• Daily Maverick article

To make a submission:

• https://awethu.amandla.mobi/petitions/demand-warning-labels-on-all-unhealthy-food