Lobbies push for front-of-pack labels in fight against diseases

Daniel Kituu, a healthy food advocate, addressing representatives from the five NGOs that form the Food Policy Coalition Kenya during the launch of the national mass media campaign on 6th May 2026/ ALICE WAITHERA Kenyans’ feeding habits could soon change if proposals to introduce mandatory front-of-pack warning labels on packaged foods are adopted.

The proposed labels will make it easier for consumers to identify products high in sugar, salt, total fat and saturated fat, as the government steps up efforts to address the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

Advocates of the campaign say many consumers currently struggle to determine how healthy packaged foods are because important nutrition information is often difficult to interpret or buried in small print.

Celine Awuor, CEO of the International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA), said the proposed labels will give shoppers clearer information at the point of purchase.