Government Introduces Policy to Regulate Fast Food Outlets

The Kenyan government has unveiled a new regulatory policy aimed at curbing the growing health risks associated with unhealthy food consumption—including fast food outlets. Under a newly released Nutrient Profile Model (NPM), foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fat will be subject to stricter oversight.
Key measures under the policy include mandatory front‑of-pack warning labels. Processed foods exceeding safe levels of the targeted nutrients would carry bold black octagonal labels indicating High in Sugar, High in Salt, or High in Fat. This labelling is designed to make it easier for consumers to identify unhealthy options at a glance.
The policy also proposes restrictions on marketing, particularly to children. Advertising of unhealthy foods on TV, digital platforms, and outdoor media during times when children are most likely to watch would be restricted. The government says this is a necessary step to reduce the appeal of fast-food chains and processed foods to young people.
Health leaders argue that this reform is critical to addressing a surge in noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. The Ministry of Health is also pushing for public education campaigns to help citizens understand nutritional content and make healthier food choices.