Processed Food Consumption Driving Rise in Hypertension and NCDs in Bangladesh: Experts

The lack of safe and healthy dietary practices and the growing dependence on processed foods are causing a worrying rise in hypertension and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Bangladesh, speakers said at a webinar. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), foods high in salt, sugar and fat significantly increase the risk of hypertension and various NCDs. In this context, front-of-package (FOP) food labeling can play a crucial role in raising consumer awareness.

The observations were shared on Sunday, February 1, at a webinar organised by research and advocacy organisation PROGGA (Knowledge for Progress), with support from the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI). The webinar, titled “Safe Food and Our Responsibilities in Combating Non-Communicable Diseases,” was held in observance of National Safe Food Day 2026 under the theme “Ensure Safe Food, Build a Healthy Life.”

Speakers at the webinar noted that, according to WHO data, approximately 570,263 people die every year in Bangladesh due to non-communicable diseases. The Global Burden of Disease 2021 report indicates that unhealthy dietary habits—such as excessive sodium intake, consumption of trans-fat-laden foods and sugar-sweetened beverages—lead to nearly 27,387 deaths annually from NCDs. Despite the severity of the situation, government funding for NCD control remains highly inadequate, accounting for only 4.2 percent of the national health budget.

Professor Dr. Sohel Reza Chowdhury, Head of the Department of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute, said that developing healthy dietary habits and reducing reliance on processed foods are particularly essential to lower the risk of hypertension and other NCDs among the population.

Former Director of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Dhaka, Professor Dr. Nazma Shaheen, emphasised the need to introduce front-of-package labeling to raise public awareness about harmful food components such as excessive salt, sugar and trans fats. She said that such a system would play an effective role in reducing the prevalence of hypertension and other NCDs in the country.

Member of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority, Professor Dr. Mohammad Shoaib, said the government is working to introduce an easy-to-understand front-of-package labeling system to make consumers more aware of the health risks associated with processed foods. He expressed hope that the initiative would be implemented soon.

GHAI Bangladesh Country Lead Muhammad Ruhul Quddus noted that, alongside awareness-building, ensuring sustainable financing is essential to effectively combat non-communicable diseases such as hypertension.

Other discussants at the webinar included Md. Monir Hossain Liton, Head of Online (Bangla) at The Daily Times of Bangladesh. The webinar was chaired by PROGGA Executive Director ABM Zubair and moderated by PROGGA Program Officer Samiha Binte Kamal. Journalists from print, television and online media, representatives of civil society and relevant experts, as well as participants from various professions and regions across the country, joined the webinar.

DBTech/DMO/EK/OR