Civil society organisation SEND GHANA and the Ghana Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics (GAND) are urging the government to adopt a national policy that mandates all processed and ultra-processed foods to carry clear front-of-pack warning labels.

The two organisations say the measure is vital to protect consumers from unhealthy diets and to address the country’s growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.

They made this call as Ghana joins the rest of the world to commemorate World Food Day.

According to them, the rising consumption of processed foods high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats has become a major contributor to the prevalence of NCDs in Ghana.

Many of these food products, they noted, are sold without clear nutritional information, leaving consumers unaware of their health implications.

"Front-of-pack warning labels offer a simple and effective solution. They provide consumers with clear and visible information that helps them make quick, informed food choices.

"Evidence from other countries shows that such labelling reduces the purchase of unhealthy products and encourages food manufacturers to reformulate their products to meet healthier standards," the groups said in a joint statement signed by SEND GHANA Country Director Harriet N. Agyemang.

They emphasised that implementing this policy in Ghana would not only protect consumers but also strengthen national efforts to prevent diet-related diseases and reduce the long-term economic cost of healthcare.

SEND GHANA and GAND are therefore calling on the government to take decisive steps to introduce a front-of-pack food labelling policy guided by international best practices, backed by strong regulatory measures to ensure compliance across the food industry.

This year’s World Food Day, themed “Hand in Hand for a Better World”, calls for collective action toward building a fair, healthy, and sustainable food system that leaves no one behind. The two organisations believe the proposed labelling policy aligns perfectly with this goal by empowering Ghanaians to make informed dietary choices for better public health.

They also appealed to the public, civil society groups, health professionals, and the media to support the campaign for front-of-pack warning labels.

“Working hand in hand, we can create a healthier food environment and reduce preventable deaths caused by unhealthy diets."