Doctors Call for Stricter Regulation of Fast Food Industry
Medical professionals in Kenya are sounding the alarm over the rapid rise of diet-related non-communicable diseases (NCDs), calling for stronger controls on the fast-food industry. With obesity, diabetes, and hypertension placing increasing strain on public health, doctors and health advocates argue that government policies must address unhealthy food environments — particularly the surge in processed and sugar-laden products in the local market.
A key demand is to regulate marketing practices. The Ministry of Health recently proposed a nutrient-profile model that sets limits on sodium, sugar, and saturated fat in packaged foods. Under this model, many fast food items that exceed these nutrient thresholds could be classified as unhealthy, triggering tighter rules on advertising — especially toward children.In parallel, there is a push for mandatory front-of-pack warning labels, so consumers can quickly identify foods with potentially harmful levels of salt, fat or sugar.
Health experts also want a ban or steep restrictions on industrially produced trans fats, a major contributor to heart disease. The International Institute for Legislative Affairs (IILA) and other NCD advocates say that eliminating these trans fats from processed foods could significantly reduce cardiovascular risk across the country.
Looking ahead, these calls put pressure on policymakers to strengthen food policies as part of Kenya’s broader NCD prevention strategy. By limiting unhealthy ingredients, curbing aggressive food marketing, and making nutritional information more transparent, medical professionals believe Kenya can protect its population from the growing burden of lifestyle diseases.