Advocacy group calls for warning labels on processed foods as health crisis deepens

702's John Perlman speaks to HEALA’s Communications Manager, Zukiswa Zimela.

Listen below:

Health advocacy group HEALA is pushing for mandatory front-of-package warning labels on processed foods in South Africa, warning of a deepening public health crisis linked to ultra-processed products. 

The organisation believes that clear visual warnings, such as triangle symbols indicating high levels of salt, sugar, saturated fat, or artificial sweeteners that could help consumers make better food choices, especially in a market where many are unaware of what they’re consuming.

"It doesn't make any health claims, but it just gives the consumer an idea of what it is that they are eating, just in case they want to make better food decisions for themselves... or if they have certain foods that they need to avoid, they'll be able to identify them readily instead of having to look at the back of the pack, which is often complicated for people who are not highly literate in nutrition."

- Zukiswa Zimela, HEALA’s Communications Manager

According to Zimela, overconsumption of ultra-processed foods is rising sharply, with recent research suggesting that 40% of the average South African adult’s daily calories come from such products. 

She adds that while they acknowledge that affordability and accessibility of healthy food remain major barriers, they see the proposed labels as a vital first step in a much broader reform of the national food system.

"We understand that the food system in South Africa is a complicated thing. This is not a measure that's going to immediately resolve everything, but what I think is important is that this tool can be used to further reduce the overconsumption of these unhealthy foods."

- Zukiswa Zimela, HEALA’s Communications Manager

The proposed regulations could also limit how unhealthy foods are marketed to children, and potentially pave the way for taxation measures, similar to the country's sugary drinks tax. 

HEALA is calling for some of those tax revenues to be ring-fenced for improving access to healthier food alternatives. 

"We are not coming here saying this is the ultimate solution, but we're trying to provide some kind of assistance because this is a very big issue – the food system is complicated. It requires a lot of minds to think about it, but this is a very first step and a low-hanging sort of intervention that we believe should be used." 

- Zukiswa Zimela, HEALA’s Communications Manager

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