Senator Hamida Kibwana has sought clarity regarding the government's new mandatory food labeling regulations. 

The legislator emphasized that this is a matter of national concern since it is directly related to Kenya’s efforts to tackle the increasing rates of obesity and other diet-related diseases.

As a nation committed to the WHO Global Action Plan on Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), the Ministry of Health, working through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), has introduced these significant new rules. 

These regulations will require packaged foods to display clear nutritional information, specifically highlighting high levels of sugar, salt, and fat.

Furthermore, products containing harmful levels of these ingredients must carry front-of-pack warnings, a measure designed to help consumers, particularly children and youth in urban areas, make healthier choices.

While seeking a Statement from the Committee on Health on the floor of the House this afternoon, Senator Kibwana urged the Ministry of Health and the Committee to provide clarity on the strategies that the Kenya Bureau of Standards has put in place to ensure full compliance with the new regulations by all manufacturers and retailers.

She tasked the Senator Jackson Mandago-led Committee to explain to the Senate the plans that the Ministry of Health has put in place to effectively educate the public on how to interpret and properly use the new nutritional labels.

"The Health Committee must also tell this House the enforcement mechanisms that the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has established to address and prevent the use of misleading or non-compliant labels," Senator Hamida submitted. 

Senator Hamida urged the Govenment to improve the affordability and access to healthy food options, a necessary step, especially for low-income households.

The Health Committee will, subsequently, invite the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Aden Duale, to elucidate on the matter afterwhich it will table a Report on the floor of the Senate.