MPs, CSO want food laws amended

By Francis Lubega

14^th March 2022

Uganda Parliamentary Alliance on food and Nutrition security -UPA-FNS and Centre for Food and Adequate Living Rights-CEFROHT have called for modifications in all nutritional and food related laws to protect the consumer.

This comes as the forum on Nutrition starts a three day Nutrition sensitization meeting at Parliament with MPs on how to use the Laws and rights to adequate foods, to address the Non-communicable Disease challenges in Uganda.

Joel Yoweri Sebikali, MP for Ntwetwe County says the Laws are outdated in regards to the current trend of how food and Nutrients are packaged according to the international standards.

He says there are also so many outlets and food hubs that sell junk foods which have been affected, he adds that due to the absence of these Laws both cooked food and raw food is hawked  in a hazardous manner that affects the population once consumed.

Dr. David Kabanda Executive Director centre for food and adequate living rights advocates for Laws that will also include warnings on food packages about the dangers of consuming some of the food nutrients in excess that are hazardous to health.

Dr Kasule Hafisah, the world health Organization (WHO-Uganda) country advisor on Con-Communicable Diseases says gov’t should put regulations that will compel and food exports/Imports and manufactures to put some of the warnings on food packages to prevent acquiring non-communicable diseases.

Milton Muwuma Chairperson Uganda Parliamentary Alliance on food and Nutrition security (UPA-FNS) also Kigulu South MP in Iganga District says the only way to avoid non communicable diseases is to make exercises avoid eating junk foods, he adds that will save the country from spending funds on treating non communicable diseases.