Due to unsafe and unhealthy dietary habits and the growing dependence on processed food, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including high blood pressure, are rising at an alarming rate in Bangladesh, experts say.
Excessive consumption of foods high in salt, sugar and trans fat is further aggravating the situation, they said.
On the occasion of National Food Safety Day, a webinar titled “Safe Food and Our Role in Tackling Non-Communicable Diseases” was held on Sunday, organised by research and advocacy organisation Pragna in collaboration with the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
Citing the World Health Organization (WHO), speakers said nearly 570,263 people die every year in Bangladesh from NCDs, accounting for a major share of total deaths in the country.
They stressed the need to strengthen food safety measures and promote healthier eating habits.
Rising deaths due to unhealthy diets
The webinar highlighted that, according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021, nearly 27,387 people die each year in Bangladesh from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) caused by unhealthy dietary habits, including excessive sodium, trans-fatty foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages. These dietary patterns play a major role in diseases such as high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and stroke.
Despite the severity of these conditions, government funding for NCD control remains very limited.
The webinar noted that only 4.2% of the health budget is allocated to NCDs, which experts say is far below what is needed.
Expert opinions
Professor Dr Sohel Reza Choudhury, head of Epidemiology and Research at the National Heart Foundation Hospital, emphasized the urgent need to promote healthy diets and reduce reliance on processed foods to lower NCD risks.
Professor Dr Nazma Shaheen, former director of the Institute of Nutrition and Food Science at Dhaka University, urged front-of-pack labeling on packaged foods to clearly indicate high levels of salt, sugar, and trans fats, helping consumers make informed choices and reduce long-term disease burden.
The webinar also featured Monir Hossain Liton, Head of Online (Bangla) at Daily Times of Bangladesh, as a speaker. It was hosted by ABM Zubair, Executive Director of Pragna, and conducted by Pragna’s Program Officer Samiha Binte Kamal. Journalists from print, television, and online media, representatives of civil society, experts, and people from various professions and regions across the country participated in the webinar.
Government initiatives
Professor Dr Mohammad Shoeb of the Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) said the government is working to implement clear front-of-pack labeling to raise awareness about the health risks of processed foods. Muhammad Ruhul Quddus, Bangladesh Country Lead of Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI), stressed that sustainable funding is also essential to effectively tackle NCDs.
National Food Safety Day 2026
Under the theme “Ensure Safe Food, Build a Healthy Life,” BFSA organized a day-long seminar at the Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) auditorium in Farmgate, Dhaka.
At the event, Ali Imam Majumder, adviser to the Ministry of Food and Land, attended as the chief guest and inaugurated the BFSA’s food sample testing database and the online submission system for research proposals.
The main presentation was delivered by Professor Dr Md Mahmudul Hasan Shikdar of the Pharmacology Department at Bangladesh Agricultural University.
Special guests will include Dr Md Emdad Ullah Mian, secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture. Under the chairmanship of Md Firoz Sarker, secretary of the Ministry of Food and Land, speeches will be delivered by Professor Dr Sanjeed Ahmed of the Department of Microbiology, University of Dhaka, Professor Dr Md Ariful Islam of the Agricultural Chemistry Department, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, and other experts.
The observance emphasized the importance of healthy eating habits, food safety, and awareness to prevent non-communicable diseases in Bangladesh.
