The absence of stringent regulatory measures to control front-of-pack labelling and marketing of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) continues to expose millions of children across the country to unhealthy foods, a report by Makerere University’s Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) has revealed.

The number of food and beverage brands trading in UPFs that target children has increased in recent years, with each processing company skillfully developing labels and advertising packages that look to convince children to buy their products.

Such child-directed marketing predominantly promotes UPFs that are known to contribute to harmful diets, with proportions of unhealthy food commercials ranging greater than 75 percent of all food advertising.

The EPRC joins experts who have come to a conclusion that marketing of UPFs to children continues to go unregulated despite its significant links and association with non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

“In Uganda, there is a growing apprehension regarding the surge in NCDs among children. This escalating health concern can be attributed to the unchecked consumption of fast foods and unhealthy diets among children, characterised by their high-calorie content but deficient in essential nutrients,” EPRC’s report reads in part.

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