Gov't continues push for front-of-package warning labels

 

The Ministry of Health and Wellness says there has been no final decision regarding the specific labelling format that will be adopted to support healthier food choices in Jamaica. 

 

But Dr. Simone Spence, Director, Health Promotion and Protection in the Health Ministry, said the government remains committed to introducing front-of-package warning labels as a policy tool.

 

She said the authorities are continuing to examine the evidence and engage stakeholders to ensure that whatever solution is chosen, it will be practical, effective and aligned with national health goals.

 

Dr. Spence was speaking at the launch of Fix My Food Jamaica: Youth-led Advocacy for Healthier Food Environments held at the Spanish Court Hotel in Kingston on Thursday.

 

"We also acknowledge the strong and growing voice of young people in this space. And today's campaign is a clear signal that youth are not just concerned. They are informed, engaged and eager to be part of the solution. As a ministry, we recognise the importance of including youth perspectives and shaping the food policies that affect their lives. While formal mechanisms are still being explored, today's event reflects a critical step - creating platforms where young people can speak, be heard and influence national discourse," she stressed. 

 

Jamaica is the first country in the Latin America and Caribbean region to launch the Fix My Food Jamaica Initiative, a United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) led global youth movement. 

 

Dr. Spence noted that younger and younger people are coming down with non-communicable diseases, adding that 68 per cent of Jamaican students aged 13-15 drink carbonated beverages daily, and nearly half consume sweetened drinks two or more times per day. 

 

Country Representative, UNICEF Jamaica, Olga Isaza, said the cost of inaction in the face of rising diet related health challenges far exceeds the cost of private measures.

 

In this context, she said implementing front-of-package warning labels is not only a sound public health intervention, but also a strategic investment in the well-being of current and future generations.

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Nadine Williams, Medical Officer of Health for Manchester, said more young people are presenting with non-communicable diseases at health facilities.

 

These include diabetes, hypertension and cancer. 

 

Dr. Williams said while these diseases were more prevalent among older people in the past, there is a noticeable increase among younger people.

 

"From the late teens, the 20s, 30s, persons are being diagnosed with these chronic non-communicable diseases. And as I mentioned before, it used to be persons in the older population 60 and over. And so these chronic non-communicable diseases are causing premature death. Premature death means that persons are dying before the age of 70 years of age, which is close to our average lifespan in Jamaica," she noted.

 

In response, the Manchester Health Department is taking its message to schools in the parish. The department engaged primary and high school on Thursday to promote food safety through science. 

 

"We're also promoting healthy eating and physical activities. So we had work out sessions and we're introducing them to some healthy meals and even had food sampling as well," she told Radio Jamaica News.