Participants at the workshop
The Food and Drugs Authority has held a sensitization workshop for its external stakeholders on reviewed guidelines on labeling and advertisement.
The two-day event also sensitized participants on the overview of the Breastfeeding Promotion Regulations (Act L.I.1667, 2000) as well as shared findings of the Potential effects of advertisement on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and the National CODE Monitoring Report.
FDA CEO, Dr. Delese A.A. Darko speaking at the workshop said stakeholders have a shared commitment to public health, adding that the workshop will create the platform for participants to share ideas that will help influence the future of health care.
She said the study findings are the products of a coordinated effort, adding that the results will contribute to developing policies that are in line with the needs and goals of the public.
“The foundation of early childhood development that cannot be replaced is breastfeeding and its importance goes well beyond the early years of life.
In addition to providing babies with the best nutrition possible, breastfeeding is essential for both mothers and children general health as well as the prevention of disease.
The Monitoring of Compliance to Ghana’s Breastfeeding Promotion Regulations, 2000 (L.I. 1667) and Breastfeeding Code was to identify the opportunities and challenges we have in cultivating a society that values and encourages this natural and essential behavior,” she said.
Dr. Darko said the results thereof highlight the shortcomings in the present promotion strategies as well as the need for multi-stakeholder engagement collaboration with healthcare professionals, communities, and the private sector which is necessary in fostering an atmosphere where breastfeeding is not only recommended but also accepted as the standard.
Touching on the NCDs, she said it was now well-documented that NCDs is on the rise in Ghana.
“It is also a fact that food marketing strategies impact on daily dietary choices and therefore contributes to NCDs, particularly DR-NCDs.
It is our duty to find a balance between the demands of public health and economic interests,” she said.
Deputy Chief Executive, Food Division, Roderick Daddey Adjei, speaking with the media said findings of the potential effects of advertisement on NCDs and the National CODE study revealed that regulations were insufficient and consumer awareness about the existing regulations was low.
He also noted that Food Service Enterprises (FSEs) extensively promoted NCD-implicated foods.
“A two-month review of new media ads highlighted high promotions of Sugary-Sweetened Beverages were the most advertised.
These pervasive unhealthy food ads pose significant public health risks, potentially shaping consumer behavior and fostering long-term unhealthy eating habits associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs),” he said.
He said the study recommended the amendment of the existing regulations to bridge the gaps identified.
“There should be National Food Standard which defines or sets specific compositional levels for salt, sugar, fats, and trans fats with the goal of reducing DR-NCDs burden,” he said.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri