Quetta (TDI): Health experts urged the government on Tuesday to tax ultra-processed foods in order to minimize their excessive use among the public.
These comments were made at an event organized by PANAH in a local hotel in Quetta, attended by the religious leaders and health experts of the country.
Addressing the event, PANAH Secretary General Sanaullah Ghumman stated that over 1,100 people die every day in Pakistan due to diabetes and its complications.
“More than 41% of adults in Pakistan are overweight or obese,” he said.
Read More: Silent Bomb: Diabetes Claims 1,100 Lives in Pakistan Daily
Ghumman added that over 33 million people are living with diabetes, while another 10 million are at high risk of developing the disease
He urged the government to take responsibility and implement strong policies, including front-of-pack labelling, to address the food crisis.
He suggested that the government should tax ultra-processed foods to reduce their usage.
“Taxing ultra-processed food would not only increase the government revenue, but also reduce healthcare costs, and improve public health,” he said.
Ghumman also pointed out that compared to many other countries; Pakistan imposes lower taxes on the beverage industry.
Read More: NCDs cause over 60% death in Pakistan: Experts
Nutrition expert Munawar Hussain explained that processed foods and beverages, especially sugary drinks and junk food, play a key role in causing diabetes, heart disease, cancer, kidney failure, and other chronic conditions.
“The annual cost of managing diabetes in Pakistan was more than $2,640 million in 2021,” he said, urging the government to take urgent policy actions to address the rising risks of diabetes and other NCDs in the country.
Munawar added that high levels of sugar, sodium, saturated fats, and trans fats are extremely harmful to health.
Read More: Our Collective Commitment to Food Security in Pakistan
“Religious leaders hold a respected position in society,” Hussain added.
Religious leaders assured that they would use their platforms to raise awareness among the public about the health risks of ultra-processed foods.
They called on the government to increase taxes on unhealthy food and beverages instead of taxing essential items like stationery and other necessities.
