PNHA urges reducing the consumption of Ultra-processed Products

Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : Non-communicable diseases are on an alarming rise in Pakistan. More than 41% of adults in Pakistan are obese or overweight. More than 33 million people in Pakistan are living with diabetes. Another 10 million people are pre-diabetic in Pakistan. If no immediate policy action is taken, the number of people living with diabetes will increase to 62 million by 2045. Unhealthy diet is among the major modifiable risk factors of non-communicable diseases. Ultra-processed food and beverage products (UPPs) are often very high in sugar, salt, and/or trans-fats. Increasing excise tax on ultra-processed products is an evidence-based strategy to reduce their consumption and the associated diseases. The parliamentarians were urged to play their role in increasing excise taxes on all solid and liquid Ultra-processed products in Finance Bill 2024-25 to curb the growing disease burden in Pakistan. This will not only reduce the disease burden but government will also generate additional revenues by taxing UPPs. The government shall allocate this revenue for public health programs and subsidize healthier alternatives like fruits, vegetables, lentils, and unsweetened milk. This was said in a pivotal pre-budget sensitization roundtable organized by the Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) aimed at garnering support from parliamentarians for increasing excise taxes on ultra-processed products in Finance Bill 2024-25. Distinguished guests included former Minister of Health Mr. Zaffar Mirza, Former caretaker Minister of Health Dr. Nadeem Jan, Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, MNA Sehr Kamran, President PANAH Maj. Gen. (R) Masud ur Rehman Kiani, Country Coordinator Global Health Advocacy Incubator Mr. Munawar Hussain, Former chairperson of National Commission on the Rights of the Child Ms. Afshan Tehseen Bajwa, parliamentarians, and health professionals.
Dr. Nadeem Jan said that the health crisis in Pakistan is complex. Non-communicable diseases are at an alarming rise. The government must prioritize preventive measures to decrease the burden of NCDs. He said that during his tenure, he has banned the use of sugary drinks in the Ministry of Health and issued an advisory to other ministries to ban them in their jurisdiction. These small steps are symbolic and can make a big difference.
Gen. Masud ur Rehman Kiani provided a comprehensive briefing on the modifiable risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases, emphasizing the detrimental health effects of ultra-processed products. “Government shall take necessary policy actions to reduce the consumption of these unhealthy foods”, he added.
Mr. Munawar Hussain delivered a presentation on “Policy Options to Reduce the Consumption of Ultra-processed Products” highlighting the evidence-based strategies to curtail the consumption of unhealthy foods. He emphasized increasing excise taxes on all types of sweetened beverages and also bringing ultra-processed products to the list of taxed items during the finance bill 2024-25 to discourage their consumption. Additionally, front-of-pack warning labels shall be imposed on UPPs high in salt, sugar, and unhealthy fats. He also emphasized allocating the collected revenue for public health programs and subsidizing healthier foods.