An adjunct lecturer of nutrition at the University of Ghana, Professor Anna Lartey, has attributed the growing threat of non-communicable diseases, (NCDs) to poor dietary habits and the increasing consumption of processed foods.
Speaking at the launch of an advocacy campaign for mandatory front-of-package food labeling on Thursday, May 15, 2025, she pointed out the need for clear, consumer-friendly nutritional information on food packaging. "If you look at the situation in Ghana, non-communicable diseases like diabetes, certain cancers, and heart conditions are on the rise, one of the key drivers is the way we eat.
Our diets are increasingly energy-dense and nutrient-poor, filled with too much sugar, salt, and saturated fats. "We need labeling systems that don't require you to be literate to make informed food choices.
Countries like the Philippines have introduced easy-to-understand codes or figures on food packages that clearly indicate high levels of salt or sugar", she noted.
