Kenya’s MoH proposes mandatory warning labels on ‘unhealthy’ processed packaged foods

KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Health has unveiled plans to require bold, black-and-white octagonal warning labels on processed packaged foods high in sugar, salt, or fat. 

The proposal, part of the newly launched Kenya Nutrient Profile Model (KNPM), aims to help consumers quickly identify unhealthy products and reduce diet-related diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.

The KNPM outlines front-of-pack labelling requirements, restrictions on marketing unhealthy foods to children, and consumer education measures to reduce excessive intake of sugar, sodium, and fat. 

According to the Access to Nutrition Initiative, 90 per cent of packaged foods in Kenya would need to carry these warnings under the proposed guidelines.

Products exceeding World Health Organization nutrient thresholds will display clear statements such as “High in Sugar,” “High in Salt,” or “High in Fat” inside a black octagon, with multiple warnings allowed on a single product. 

The model also supports WHO recommendations to prohibit advertising aimed at children for products containing non-nutritive sweeteners.

Public Health Principal Secretary Mary Muthoni said the initiative is designed to empower citizens. “This model enables Kenyans to make healthier dietary choices while fostering sustainable food systems,” she noted.

Non-communicable diseases now account for 39 per cent of deaths in Kenya, with obesity rates having tripled since 2000. Current statistics show that 45 per cent of women and 19 per cent of men are overweight or obese, adding pressure on the healthcare system and economy.

Similar labelling measures have shown results elsewhere. In Chile, where warning labels were introduced in 2016, sales of sugary drinks fell by 24 per cent within two years, prompting companies to reformulate products to avoid carrying warning signs.

Celine Awuor, chief executive of the Nairobi-based International Institute for Legislative Affairs, which helped draft the KNPM, said the shift is long overdue. 

“Right now, you almost need a magnifying glass and a degree in food science to figure out how much sugar or salt is in a product. The KNPM changes that. You’ll see the warning before you even pick it up,” she said.

The ministry says implementation will require new policies, broad stakeholder engagement, and public sensitisation, but argues the long-term health benefits outweigh any initial challenges.

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