Ministry of Health officials want nutrition laws strengthened :: Uganda Radionetwork

The Deputy Commissioner in charge of Nutrition at the Ministry of Health, Samalie Namukose called on MPs to strengthen laws and policies related to food and nutrition to prevent the risk of non-communicable diseases – NCDs.

Namukose made the statement on Monday at the start of a four-day parliamentary week on nutrition.

The event is organized by the Uganda Parliamentary Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security in partnership with the Center for Food and Adequate Living Rights (CEFROHT). laws, regulations and policies for healthy diets and environments.

During the week, MPs, parliamentary staff and other members of the public are to benefit from free screening and counseling on NCDs. Namukose said the Food and Drugs Act has not been changed since it was formulated in 1959 and lawmakers have a role to play in ensuring they provide strong food-related legislations and policies. and nutrition.

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Namukose added that the consumption of unhealthy foods is fueled by inadequate and concealed information regarding nutrition labeling which should state how much fat, sugar or salt the food product contains. She says this information is written in lowercase letters and hidden on food packaging.

“So you don’t know how much salt or sugar you’re taking and yet we know that these are linked to disease,” Namukose added. She called on Parliament to step in and ensure that nutrition labeling is regulated so that information on different products is factual and easily readable.

Dr. Hafisa Kasule, National NCD Advisor, also called on lawmakers and the public to embrace nutrition labeling to enable them to make informed decisions and reduce consumption of unhealthy foods.

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According to the World Health Organization – WHO, poor diet is one of the main risk factors for non-communicable diseases in low- and middle-income countries.

Maria J. Book