Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Excessive consumption of ultra-processed foods in our diet has significantly increased the risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, obesity, and many other fatal diseases. Sugary drinks, dairy desserts, candies, and baked foods are the top four major sources of sugar intake in the diet. The lack of essential nutrients and fiber in ultra-processed foods deprives our bodies of the ingredients required for optimal well-being. Higher taxes on sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods are an evidence-based policy action to reduce their consumption. This was stated by health experts during a session on “Lifestyles and non-communicable diseases” jointly organized by Heartfile and Pakistan National Heart Association at a local hotel in Islamabad. Those who attended the session include a Consultant at Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI) Mr. Munawar Hussain, General Secretary of Pakistan National Heart Association Mr. Sanaullah Ghumman, CEO of heartfile Dr. Saba Amjad, General Secretary of Pakistan Kidney Patients Welfare Organization Mr. Ghulam Abbas, Ex-Commissioner Mr. Abdul Hafeez, health professionals, representatives of civil society and media.
Mr. Munawar Hussain said that nearly two-thirds of all deaths in Pakistan are due to non-communicable diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, stroke, and diabetes are the major killers of Pakistanis. Pakistan is globally ranked at the top with the highest prevalence of diabetes. If no immediate policy action is taken number of people living with diabetes will increase to 62 million by 2045. It is pivotal that the government should take holistic action to ensure access to a healthy diet and reduce the intake of sugar, salt, saturated fats, and trans fats in the diet. Increasing tax on all types of sweet drinks and ultra-processed products is an evidence-based strategy to reduce the consumption of these unhealthy foods. He said that the revenue generated by taxing the ultra-processed foods must be earmarked to subsidize and promote healthy foods like fruits, vegetables lentils, etc to improve public health.
Dr. Saba Amjad said that Pakistan is facing a rapid increase in non-communicable diseases in recent years. She said that regulating industrially produced transfats by setting no more than a 2 percent limit in all food sources is important to cut down the heart diseases. In addition, the government should take holistic action to reduce the consumption of all ultra-processed foods, especially sugary drinks and products that are high in sugar, salt, saturated fats, and transfats.
Mr. Sanaullah Ghumman, General Secretary PANAH said it is an encouraging development that several civil society organizations are now demanding the government to take policy actions for reducing the consumption of sugary drinks and ultra-processed foods. The government must prioritize public health over the corporate interest. We at PANAH have been raising awareness of healthy lifestyles for the last 40 years. We are also working with policymakers on policies to reduce the consumption of unhealthy foods causing chronic diseases. We urge the government to consider increasing taxes on all types of sugary drinks and expanding taxation to ultra-processed
