Food vloggers and content creators are growing rapidly in Dhaka and across Bangladesh as videos about cheap meals, huge portions, and street food often go viral, and sometimes hundreds of viewers try out the places they see online.
But as these creators influence what people eat, an important question comes up: when they promote a dish, do they tell viewers about its nutrition, health risks, or how hygienically it is prepared?
Videos that show “more food at a lower price” are especially popular.
A food shop in Agargaon offered beef and rice for Tk100, chicken and rice for Tk80, and egg and rice for Tk60, all with unlimited rice and curry.
After a YouTube video about the shop went viral, about 400 people started visiting every day.
These kinds of videos are everywhere on social media platforms.
Another video showed Tk99 basmati biryani and Tk130 kacchi in Mirpur 10, while another featured Tk120 basmati kacchi in Mirpur 12.
In July 2026, another food vlogger highlighted Tk99 basmati rice chicken biryani and Tk130 beef biryani in Mirpur 10.
These videos mainly attract viewers with their prices, big portions, and the eating experience.
But when people decide to try the food, it’s important to ask if they should also get basic information about the ingredients or any health concerns.
What viewers are not being told
Dr Tasnim Sanowar, chief quality control officer at the Institute of Public Health, said: “Food content usually focuses on taste, price and portion size. But there is very little discussion about the possible health effects of eating certain foods regularly.”
“When a food is presented attractively on social media, and such content influences people's food choices, providing at least relevant health information should be considered. This does not mean turning food bloggers into doctors. Rather, it means ensuring the information consumers need to make their own decisions.”
Recent studies show that food content on social media is more than just entertainment.
For example, a 2025 review in BMJ Global Health examined 36 studies on how social media and online food marketing affect children and teenagers.
Most of the research so far has focused on high-income countries, and the researchers say more studies are needed in low- and middle-income countries.
Another study looked at 8,871 videos from top TikTok influencers in the US.
Out of these, 1,360 videos featured food, drinks, or dietary supplements.
The study found that 58% of the foods shown were considered unhealthy.
Some creators agree that health information belongs in food content.
Mir Raihan Masud of "Raihanism Travel & Food" said bloggers should tell viewers about the possible health risks of the food they review.
“They should definitely do that. It can help people become more aware of what they eat. Many people in Bangladesh suffer from diet-related diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Since food bloggers can reach a large number of people, they also have a responsibility,” he said.
Mir, a former BBC Bangla journalist who recently became a food blogger, added that bloggers should mention whether a food contains too much salt, sugar, or oil.
He said: “People like useful information. If correct information is presented in a nice and simple way, it will not make the content less attractive.”
Food and nutrition specialist Dr Farzana Wahab said the word “healthy” must be used carefully.
“Calling a food tasty or good for its price is not the same as calling it ‘healthy’. If the word healthy is used, it should be based on nutrition science. A food content creator can talk about the taste or experience of eating a food, but it is important to verify whether they are providing nutritional or medical information,” she said.
Dr Farzana added: “There is no need to put a large warning on every food item. But if it is reliably known that a food contains excessive salt, sugar or oil, this can be explained to viewers in simple language. This does not mean banning the food. It simply means providing people with information.”
Nasrin Akter, assistant director of the investigation branch at the Directorate of National Consumers' Right Protection, spoke about food and restaurant promotion and said: “Consumers should know whether that information is advertising or an independent opinion. This is particularly important in influencer marketing. The clearer this line is, the greater the opportunity for consumers to make an informed choice.”
Dhaka University fourth-year student Mukta Akter said: “Sometimes I feel like trying a food after watching a food blogger's video, especially when the price is low and the food looks good. But it would be helpful if the video also said what is in the food or whether there is anything people should keep in mind if they eat it regularly, instead of talking only about the taste and price. Not everything needs a warning, but if you provide important information, we can make more informed decisions.”
